Is this second season syndrome or are Sunderland struggling to deal with juggling European football and domestic duties?

They have now lost both their league games on the weekend after dates on the continent in the Europa League, albeit the previous one was an eight-goal thriller against league leaders Manchester City.

They have also had some tough fixtures so far including that trip to City as they have also faced champions Arsenal and in-form Brighton.

Yet after seven games last season as a newly-promoted side they had 11 points and at the same stage this term they have just four.

They had just three shots across the whole game and never tested Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic while the Cherries should have scored more from their 29 attempts.

This defeat may be put down to Kevin Danso's early errors and a gift of a second goal but head coach Regis Le Bris will hope last season's impressive form soon returns as they have now lost five games already and are struggling.