Sunderland made a triumphant return to the Premier League when they beat West Ham United 3-0 at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon.
That being said, the Black Cats would have found themselves one down within the first five minutes if not for a save from debuting goalkeeper Robin Roefs, who did well to deny Jarrod Bowen.
The Hammers were unable to find a way through in the first half, and Regis Le Bris will be pleased that the hosts limited their opponents despite having only 35% possession.
The final 30 minutes were euphoric for the Sunderland fans, who saw their side score their first top-flight goal in eight years when striker Eliezer Mayenda's header was precisely placed out of the goalkeeper's reach just beyond the hour mark.
The promoted club then added a second through another header, this time from Dan Ballard, who found the top corner from a Simon Adingra cross.
Graham Potter's men applied pressure late on, but they were unable to find a way through a determined Sunderland, and they were caught out in their desperation by a counter attack that saw Wilson Isidor top off a fantastic day in Wearside with a third.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka on August 16, 2025
Sunderland will be feeling confident of their chances this term after securing their first Premier League win since May 2017.
After a steady first half, the Black Cats showed their claws in the second with two excellent headers and an impressive late strike that sent the Stadium of Light into rapturous celebration, and fans will be cautiously optimistic of staying up this season, especially after seeing their new stars perform so well in the Premier League, led by marquee signing Granit Xhaka.
As for West Ham, they struggled in 2024-25, and while losing on the road to a promoted club on the league's opening weekend could be a psychological setback, they will be aware that their hosts have strengthened considerably more than most in the transfer window.
The Londoners were planning for European football just a few short seasons ago, but fans may have to watch their team be drawn into another relegation scrap this term.
SUNDERLAND VS. WEST HAM UNITED HIGHLIGHTS
61st min: Sunderland 1-0 West Ham United (Eliezer Mayenda)
Eliezer Mayenda scores a header to make it 1-0 to Sunderland on August 16, 2025
Sunderland work the ball out to the left flank, where substitute left-back Omar Aldrete lifts his head up and picks out Eliezer Mayenda with an excellent cross from deep, and the striker finds the bottom-left corner with a precise header.
The Black Cats have their first goal back in the Premier League!
73rd min: Sunderland 2-0 West Ham United (Dan Ballard)
Dan Ballard of Sunderland scores to make it 2-0 on August 16, 2025
Summer signing Simon Adingra picks up the ball near the right-hand touchline, and the former Brighton & Hove Albion winger produces a whipped cross to centre-back Dan Ballard, whose header into the top-left corner doubles Sunderland's lead!
90+2 mins: Sunderland 3-0 West Ham United (Wilson Isidor)
Wilson Isidor of Sunderland scores to make it 3-0 on August 16, 2025
Sunderland attack on the counter from a West Ham corner, with Chemsdine Talbi carrying the ball out with composure in his own half, before playing it down the line to Wilson Isidor, who cuts inside from the left-hand side and curls a shot into the bottom-right corner with finesse from just inside the box.
MAN OF THE MATCH - DAN BALLARD
Dan Ballard of Sunderland celebrates scoring his team's second goal on August 16, 2025
The Sunderland stalwart kept a clean sheet against the Premier League regular's on the Black Cat's return to the top flight, as well as netting the crucial second goal that helped to seal the win and calm the nerves within the stadium.
Ballard will be crucial if Le Bris's side are to buck the trend and avoid the drop this season.
SUNDERLAND VS. WEST HAM UNITED MATCH STATS
Possession: Sunderland 37%-63% West Ham United
Shots: Sunderland 10-12 West Ham United
Shots on target: Sunderland 5-4 West Ham United
Corners: Sunderland 5-7 West Ham United
Fouls: Sunderland 8-10 West Ham United
BEST STATS
Dan Ballard for Sunderland vs. West Ham:
◉ Most duels won (10)
◉ Most clearances (8)
◉ Most aerial duels won (6)
◉= Most touches in opp. box (4)
◉ Most shots (4)
◉ Most fouls won (4)
◉= Most possessions won (4)
◉ Most shots on target (2)
And his first PL goal. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/eAFMeDIswg
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 16, 2025
Only three French managers have won their first ever Premier League game in charge:
◎ Arsene Wenger (Arsenal)
◎ Alain Perrin (Portsmouth)
◉ Régis Le Bris (Sunderland)
Only Arsene and Régis did it without conceding. ???? pic.twitter.com/yf2hGfB7Rp
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 16, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Up next for Sunderland is a trip to Turf Moor to take on Burnley next Saturday, while West Ham will welcome Chelsea to the London Stadium on Friday night.
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