Norwich City cruised to their first win of the season as they defeated Sunderland 3-1 at the Stadium of Light.

The Canaries took the lead in the 26th minute through Russell Martin, while Steven Whittaker added a second goal before half time.

Nathan Redmond notched the third early in the second half to put the game beyond doubt, while Duncan Watmore netted a consolation goal for the home side.

Here, Sports Mole evaluates every player on their performance this afternoon at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland

Goal

Costel Pantilimon: Made a fine early save to deny Jonny Howson, but could do little to stop Martin and Whittaker putting the visitors in control. Could have done more to stop Redmond finding the net. (6/10)

Defence

Billy Jones: Offered an attacking threat down the right, but allowed Robbie Brady far too much room throughout the match. (4/10)

Sebastian Coates: Looked all at sea in the first half and never got to grips with the physical play of Cameron Jerome. Made a couple of decent interventions. (3/10)

Younes Kaboul: Was well off the pace in the fixture and showed no ability to read the game. Made a few clumsy challenges and lacked positonal sense. (3/10)

Patrick van Aaaholt: An absolute liabity for Advocaat's men. The majority of Norwich's threat came down his side of the pitch and he was unwilling to track back after raiding forward. Showed no positional sense and switched off for Norwich's second and third goals. (2/10)

Midfield

Sebastian Larsson: Struggled to get up to the speed of the game and his set pieces were poor. Passing was poor as he and his fellow midfielders were overmatched in the middle of the park. Substituted at the break. (3/10)

Yann M'Vila: Had a bright start to the game as he showed a willingness for a challenge and passed the ball well, but he faded drastically after the first goal and was invisible in the second half. (3/10)

Lee Cattermole: Struggled once again for the Black Cats in the middle of the park. He made mistakes for two of Norwich's goals and failed to get control of the midfield. (2/10)

Jeremain Lens: The game passed him by bar a couple of moments when his cross found Steven Fletcher and his shot was saved by John Ruddy. Booked for a poor first-half challenge. (3/10)

Attack

Jermain Defoe: Had no effect on the game whatsoever. He was starved of service in the first half and was shifted out to the wing in the second until Watmore's arrival. (3/10)

Steven Fletcher: The Scot had a decent chance to reduce the deficit before the break, but headed wide. Showed no appetite for the fight throughout the contest. (2/10)

Substitutes

Danny Graham: Replaced Larsson at the break and had absolutely no impact on the game. (3/10)

Duncan Watmore: The one Sunderland player to show a spark in the final third and was rewarded for his endeavour with a goal on his Premier League debut. (7/10)

Norwich

Goal

John Ruddy: Had little to do throughout the contest and could do very little to stop Watmore's effort from finding the net. (6/10)

Defence

Steven Whittaker: Strong performance from the full-back as he was an attacking outlet throughout the match for his side and was rewarded with a goal. Defensively he stood up well to the test provided by Lens. (8/10)

Sebastien Bassong: Was bookd early in the match for a poor challenge on Lens, but improved as the game wore on as he helped control the threat of Defoe with relative ease. (7/10)

Russell Martin: Strong presence at the back to deal with Fletcher, who he managed to nullify. Was slightly fortunate to hand his side the lead as the ball deflected off his body into the net. (7/10)

Robbie Brady: A constant threat for the Canaries down the left and his pinpoint cross led to Martin's opener. His deliveries into the box caused all sorts of problems for the hosts as they never managed to shut him down. (7/10)

Midfield

Graham Dorrans: An easy afternoon for the Scotland international. He did not provide much for his team, but helped them control the middle of the park. (6/10)

Alex Tettey: A physical presence in the midfield to combat Cattermole and M'Vila. He did his job well as he often won the ball back to present it to his side's creative players. (7/10)

Wes Hoolahan: An excellent performance from the midielder as he pulled the strings in the middle of the park for Neil's men. He constantly put Sunderland on the back foot with the accuracy of his passing, as he always seemed to choose the right option with the ball. (8/10)

Jonny Howson: Solid enough for the Canaries in the middle of the park and helped support Jerome in the final third. Saw one striker well saved by Pantilimon. (7/10)

Nathan Redmond: A constant thorn in the side of the Black Cats with his pace as he opened up space for his teammates as a result of his direct play. His movement also caused the home side a number of problems, finding space with ease in the final third. Displayed good vision and finishing skills to net his team's third goal. (8/10)

Attack

Cameron Jerome: Led the line well as he caused problems for the defensive duo of Kaboul and Coates. Won free kicks on a regular basis and won the physical battle in the final third. Should have found the net with a first-half effort from inside the box. (7/10)

Substitutes

Bradley Johnson: Tidy 30 minutes from the midfielder as he helped ensure that his side held out for the three points. (6/10)

Lewis Grabban: Gave the Black Cats' defence a few problems in the final third in the last 20 minutes of the match. His power and pace almost handed his side a fourth goal. (6/10)

Gary O'Neil: Didn't have time to make an impact as he arrived in the final minutes of the match. (5/10)