Ghana star Christian Atsu was still sidelined despite recovering from injury as his his club Bournemouth won their first Premier League game at home with a convincing victory over hapless Sunderland.
Atsu was thought to be on the verge of his first Premier League appearance for the Cherries after recovering from an injury that kept him away from the team since the start of the season.
However after excelling for Ghana in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali two weeks ago it was expected that he would be fielded or named on the bench in their match against the Black Cats on Saturday.
The Ghanaian was not even named on the bench let alone the starting line up as Bournemouth sealed their first home win in the top-flight.
The home side took the lead early on through Callum Wilson, who fired in a low finish from Dan Gosling's pass.
Scot Matt Ritchie extended the advantage soon after with a stunning volley into the top corner of the net.
Sunderland's Fabio Borini struck a volley narrowly over in the second half, before team-mate Younes Kaboul was sent off for a second yellow.