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Sunderland slipped into the Premier League relegation zone as they were humbled 4-1 by Bolton Wanderers at the Stadium of Light.

Djibril Cisse's opener was quickly cancelled out as Bolton tore through a dire home defence with a goal each from Matt Taylor and Gary Cahill and two from Johan Elmander.

In a manic opening 20 minutes to Roy Keane's 100th game in charge, the Black Cats found themselves a goal up against the run of play and then, just as quickly, one behind.

Sunderland started poorly, but with their first move of any quality Cisse broke the offside trap and slotted home - Steed Malbranque slipping a ball in behind Andy O'Brien following neat interplay between the Frenchman and Kieran Richardson. Ahead and looking in control, the North-East side conspired to throw it away.

First, Gretar Steinsson was allowed to collect his own throw - following a poor Phil Bardsley clearance - and deliver for Taylor to out jump Pascal Chimbonda and loop a header past Craig Gordon.

Then, moments later Richardson gave away a needless free-kick that earned him a yellow and Bolton the lead. Gavin McCann hoisted it high into the box and Danny Collins could only clear as far as Cahill on the edge; the centre-back firing home a powerful low volley.

The afternoon was to get a whole lot worse for Collins on 39 minutes. A Bolton punt, and not even a hopeful one at that, hung in the air long enough for Collins to completely misjudge it and Elmander to pounce, the Swede scurrying past Collins into the box and, from a tight angle, striking through the legs of Gordon.

If the home support were expecting a barnstorming second half fight back they were sorely mistaken as Bolton started the half far brighter and fully deserved their fourth even if it was slightly fortuitous.

Yet again the home side were the architects of their own downfall. Kevin Nolan caught Sunderland captain Dean Whitehead overplaying in midfield and committed Bardsley before squaring to Elmander for the Swede's second and Bolton's fourth after only the 55th minute.

Although the score line suggests otherwise, Sunderland were not completely outplayed and twice had the ball past Jussi Jaaskelainen - only for the assistant referee's flag to cut the celebrations short. Cisse's first half effort was ruled out for a Kenwyne Jones foul in the build up, and then Jones himself was adjudged to be in a offside position having slotted past the Finn.

Sunderland were, however, in defensive disarray throughout and many will question the wisdom of their best defender, Anton Ferdinand, spending the match on he bench.

Credit to Sunderland, they never gave up and chased a consolation right to the end of the match - Chimbonda, Cisse and Jones all going close, but in truth it was Bolton who continued to look the more likely to score.

Elmander should have had a hat-trick, first rounding Gordon to lift the ball high and wide, before exchanging passes with Kevin Davies and slotting the ball the wrong side of Sunderland's post.

Marcus Foley / Eurosport