Sunderland fans turn as Fabio Carvalho piles pressure on Michael Beale

The Liverpool midfielder scored his first goal since joining Hull City on loan and that was enough to condemn the Black Cats to a 1-0 home defeat at the Stadium Of Light.

That led to a chorus of loud boos from the home supporters at full-time.

While losing to the in-form Tigers is nothing to be ashamed of, it's just the latest in a number of setbacks for Sunderland.

Beale was named as the club's new head coach following the controversial decision to sack Tony Mowbray - a man who has since been snapped up by Birmingham City.

Since Beale's appointment, Sunderland have played seven matches - winning two, drawing one and losing the remaining four.

READ MORE ON SUNDERLAND

FA under fire from colour blindness campaigners for kit clash in Sunderland vs Newcastle

Cheeky Shearer thanks Sunderland for rolling out red carpet in 'men against boys' game

It's that run of form that has led some supporters to lose their patience with the former QPR and Rangers boss.

Among the four defeats was the crushing 3-0 defeat to arch-rivals Newcastle United in the FA Cup in the aftermath of the 'serious error of judgement' that saw a Stadium Of Light bar redecorated with Newcastle-themed colours and slogans.

But more worrying for fans is the way that the club have fallen away from the Championship play-off places.

While victory for Hull moves them into the top six, Sunderland now sit in eighth position having played a game more than those around them.

Most read in EFL

The reason why Jobe Bellingham has his first name on his shirt but Jude does

Forest Green owner Dale Vince reveals why he sacked Troy Deeney as manager

Troy Deeney sacked after just six games in charge of Forest Green following viral rant

Reading chief executive hits out at fans' protest after pitch invaders got match abandoned

Should results elsewhere go against them this weekend, they could drop down as low as 13th in the Championship.