Sunderland enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win over Hull City.
Victor Anichebe, who found himself without a club during the summer, marked his return to the limelight with a powerful display and a second-half double as his contribution and the 150th Premier League goal of Jermain Defoe's career put fellow strugglers Hull to the sword.
Black Cats boss David Moyes said: "He was immense today, probably even better than he was (against Bournemouth last time out). Victor has got this capability of doing it. He needs to be loved and I think the supporters are helping him because he wants that.
"The supporters here are enjoying him and I hope they keep backing him. But he is a handful and on his day, if we can keep him fit, he is a really powerful boy - and if he adds goals to it like he is doing just now he's a terrific player."