Dan Ballard celebrates Sunderland's victory at the Stadium of Light _(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA)_
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How did the players fare as Sunderland beat West Ham United 3-0 at the Stadium of Light?
**SUNDERLAND** (4-3-3):
8 **Roefs**: Made a fine late save when he tipped a deflected free-kick over the bar and was positive and commanding throughout
8 **Hume**: Started in the Premier League as he clearly means to go on, thumping into tackles and pushing on down the right
9 **BALLARD**: Capped a brilliant defensive display with the thumping header that doubled Sunderland’s lead
6 **Seelt**: Defended impressively throughout the first half, but was forced off after landing awkwardly at the start of the second period
8 **Reinildo**: Could not have made much of a better debut – timed a crucial first-half challenge on Bowen to perfection
9 **Diarra**: Shone at the heart of the Sunderland midfield, breaking into the box with a mixture of power and purpose
8 **Xhaka**: Oozed class and composure at the base of Sunderland’s midfield – set the tone for his side’s polished performance
7 **Sadiki**: Did a lot of the dirty work when West Ham threatened to get on top of things in the first half
7 **Talbi**: Flickered in and out of the game, but produced a fine pass to release Isidor on the break for Sunderland’s third
8 **Mayenda**: Opened his Premier League account in style with a superb angled header that found the far corner
7 **Adingra**: Claimed an assist with the cross for Ballard’s goal and was constantly looking to stretch the West Ham defence
**Subs**:
7 **Alderete** (for Seelt, 53): Settled straight into things after his introduction and provided the cross for Mayenda’s opener
Le Fee (for Adingra, 75)
Isidor (for Mayenda, 75)
Rigg (for Talbi, 90+4)
(not used): Patterson (gk), H Jones, Neil, Roberts, Guiu.
**WEST HAM** (3-4-1-2):
Hermansen 4; Aguerd 4, Kilman 4, Todibo 3 (Irving 82); Wan-Bissaka 5, Ward-Prowse 6 (Soucek 71), Rodriguez 5 (Wilson 71), Diouf 4; Paqueta 4; Fullkrug 4, **BOWEN** 6.
Subs: Areola (gk), Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Alvarez, Scarles, Potts.
**Man Of The Match: DAN BALLARD** – The hero of Sunderland’s play-off semi-final starred again as the [Black Cats](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland) kicked off life in the Premier League in style.