Sunderland thrashed Sheffield Wednesday at the Stadium of Light to move into the Championship's top two after the first two matches of the season.

First-half goals from Dennis Cirkin, Eliezer Mayenda and Luke O'Nien put the Black Cats in control at the break.

And Mayenda's second of the game effectively sealed the points for Sunderland within two minutes of the restart.

The victory meant Sunderland moved behind early leaders Burnley on goal difference, with six points from six.

Wednesday, meanwhile, followed up a dominant 4-0 opening-day win over Plymouth Argyle with a miserable defeat by the same scoreline.

Wednesday dominated possession in the first half and hardly allowed Sunderland a kick inside the opening 10 minutes. But the home side then went ahead through a well-worked routine.

Patrick Roberts' deep free-kick found Cirkin unmarked at the back post, with a screen of Sunderland players protecting his run from the Wednesday defence, and the left-back headed precisely past Owls goalkeeper James Beadle.

The goal immediately changed the flow of the game and Sunderland doubled their lead five minutes later after a gift from the Owls.

Josh Windass's flick deflected right into the path of striker Mayenda in acres of space outside the box.

The 19-year-old had time to steady himself and finish confidently past Beadle for his first goal for the club.

O'Nien made it 3-0 inside 24 minutes when he reacted quickest to prod home 17-year-old Chris Rigg's deflected shot.

Wednesday's players called for the offside flag, but Windass was keeping the midfielder-turned-centre back onside.

The away side's misery was compounded almost immediately, when Svante Ingelsson looked to have got one back - but the offside flag was raised this time, for an infringement against Djeidi Gassama in the build-up.

Replays showed both decisions were correct.

Beadle produced a brilliant save to keep out Rigg's deflected shot deep into first-half stoppage time and keep Wednesday in the game going into half-time.

However, the contest was all-but over inside two minutes of the restart as Mayenda finished off a fine team move for his second goal of the game.

Roberts' through-ball set Jack Clarke free down the left and the cross found Mayenda free in the middle to tap home past Beadle.

Wednesday had plenty of the ball in the second half without testing Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.

Michael Smith's blazed effort in stoppage time summed up the visitors' second-half performance as Sunderland recorded their second clean sheet from their opening two games.

Lorient were relegated from Ligue 1 last season under Regis Le Bris.

But the 48-year-old Frenchman began his tenure in the north east with a 2-0 win away at Cardiff City and has followed it up with a commanding performance in his first home league game.

His side looked in control of the match as soon as they took the lead early on.

Sunderland's players pressed high and harried their opponents in midfield.

It's now two games played, two won, six goals scored and zero conceded for his team in the league.

Sunderland have been tipped to sign a new striker, but Mayenda has given the club and his head coach lots to ponder with his first goals in red and white.

Wednesday secured their Championship status in this fixture in a 2-0 win on the final day of last season.

Boss Danny Rohl did an amazing job to save the Owls from relegation, having taken over with the club seven points adrift from safety in October.

He will now need to pick his players up for a big Yorkshire derby against Leeds United at Hillsborough on Friday.

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle:

"The idea was very clear, we have many talented players in the starting XI and on the bench.

"The reality of the game today, and the competition, is that we need to be very strong in all the phases, especially set pieces.

"We know with the next games we will have many problems to solve."

On the Stadium of Light atmosphere: "It's impressive today and when the team represents the spirit of the community I think the link is very strong - the win, the way we played and defended.

"The fans like that and if they like it they can give us higher energy."

Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"We played too much to the 6 position [in midfield], we knew there were men marking and they wanted to win the ball.

"It's a big defeat for us. We had a big ambition coming here, we wanted to show up. We had a good feeling the last two games.

"I take responsibility for this [defeat] as the coach. I will look at what should be improved.

"But we should not forget it's a process, to think after two good games this season it goes easy - forget it.

"For us, we need to be ready for the next game and show a reaction on Friday at home [to Leeds United]."