France forward Nicolas Anelka scored for the Trotters in the 50th minute, but the game was long-since lost.
At the Stadium of Light, Michael Chopra scored the first goal of the new season in Saturday's early match as visitors Tottenham were beaten 1-0 thanks to his goal with 13 seconds to go.
"I was desperate to do it, especially being a Geordie from Newcastle coming to Sunderland, I was desperate to get that goal and show Sunderland fans that I want to be here," Chopra said.
UEFA Cup side Everton, out to improve on last season's sixth-placed finish, beat relegation battle survivors Wigan 2-1 at Goodison Park.
Everton midfielder Leon Osman scored with a header in the 26th minute.
It was a roller-coaster match at Pride Park as newly promoted Derby County held visitors Portsmouth to a 2-2 draw.
Midfielder Matt Oakley scored for the Championship playoff winners five minutes in.
Pompey's Benjani Mwaruwari equalized and new signing John Utaka thought he had scored a winning goal in the 83rd minute but Rams defender Andy Todd equalized.
Blackburn Rovers started their campaign well with a hard-fought win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside.
England winger Stuart Downing put Boro ahead before South Africa striker Benni McCarthy was stretchered off having collapsed following a clash of heads.
His replacement, Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz, equalized in the 63rd minute and Matt Derbyshire won the match with 11 minutes to go.
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