Sunderland marked their Premier League return in style, sweeping aside West Ham 3-0 amid a cauldron of noise at the Stadium of Light. Eliezer Mayenda’s 61st-minute header set the tone before Dan Ballard headed in a second, and Wilson Isidor curled a stoppage-time third to cap a landmark afternoon on Wearside.
For all West Ham’s early composure in possession, Sunderland’s organisation and cutting edge after the interval proved decisive. The Hammers saw plenty of the ball, but rarely undid a diligent home defence, while Sunderland’s blend of debutants and familiar faces clicked impressively to deliver their first Premier League win in August or September since 2012.
A warning ignored, a lead seized
There were early hints of Sunderland's threat in transition. Habib Diarra twice stretched Mads Hermansen, once after a slick exchange with Mayenda, and again when the West Ham goalkeeper had to help a fierce drive over the bar.