**_Sunderland 3 West Ham 0_**
It's always dangerous listening to games ion the radio at home as we inevitably lose. It's a case of meet the new midfield, same as the old midfield. Potter opts for Rodriguez, a player the club is trying to offload, Ward-Prowse and Paqueta in front of the five-man defence when surely Soucek or Alvarez would be better for a game against a feisty newly-promoted side. Hermansen gets the nod in goal ahead of Areola.
Early on Bowen does well to fire a shot against keeper Roefs' legs and the speedy Diarra has an effort well-saved by Hermansen. The full-backs don't really get forward much apart from Fullkrug setting up a fine goalbound effort from Diouf, which is saved by a block from Ballard.
You expect West Ham to step it up after the break but it's Sunderland who take the lead. It's a fairly simple cross that sees Mayenda get in front of Aguerd to loop his header into the corner. It's two when the towering Ballard meets another cross by out-jumping Paqueta.
Potter acts too late, bringing on Wilson and Soucek before finally abandoning the five-man defence by taking off Todibo for Andy Irvine in the final ten minutes. The Portobello Pirlo does put in a decent free kick that flicks of a Sunderland defender and has to be tipped over by Roefs.
With the Hammers forced to press Sunderland get a third in added time from a West Ham corner. Isidor breaks at speed, Diouf doesn't get in a challenge and it's three. Got to feel sorry for Big Joe was is at the match reading his copy of _Granta_ among the Makems. To make it worse Kudus has made two goals for Spurs. Still, as Matt suggests, it could be a masterclass from Potter designed to convince Sullivan to spend big on a new midfield.
Are we in for a relegation struggle? West Ham shouldn't be getting walloped by a newly-promoted side full of new players. A big big improvement is required against Chelsea.