A commanding second half display sealed a memorable return to the Premier League for The Black Cats amidst a euphoric atmosphere at the Stadium of Light.
It took until the 5th October last term for any of the promoted sides to win a game, so are there already signs that the Sunderland project has been manufactured for success?
The three goals which sent the Sunderland faithful into raptures came courtesy of inch-perfect headers from Eliezer Mayenda and Dan Ballard.
Substitute Wilson Isidor's curled effort in stoppage time was the nail in the coffin for Graham Potter's West Ham United side who finished 14th last season.
Goalscorers capable of making the step up
Regis Le Bris deployed eight debutants for the club's top flight opener and many fans have lauded praise onto Sunderland's transfer business which consists of 11 incomings so far.
However, their onslaught after the interval was brought to life by Le Bris' existing players.
Mayenda and centre-back Ballard scored vital goals to shock the visitors and both were influential in Sunderland's Championship play-off matches which eventually saw them reign victorious at Wembley.
Their top-goalscorer from last season, Isidor, also chipped in with a late goal.
While the new arrivals failed to open their account wearing red and white, their cohesion and quality was equally significant to the performance.
Le Bris emphasised the reasons as to why he opted to hand minutes to those that spearheaded them last season and what it shows about the club's identity.
"It's really important for two reasons, they showed they can step up. We'll see later, but today it was the case. And it's really important because they keep the identity of the club and the way we worked last season.
"We built this strength about togetherness, the way we work as a team. The players worked well as a team and they showed that again today."
Regarding Isidor and Mayenda, he added, *"Last season they showed how good they are. For me, it was obvious that they have the quality for the Premier League. Especially the way we play, we have strong opponents in front of us and we have to work well and defend well as a team. They have this quality and they can attack the space in behind."*
Navigating the gulf between divisions
Albeit their summer recruitment has consisted of several faces with European experience to offset potential problems from boasting more youngsters, the club as a whole within a new project will face challenges for Premier League stability.
Le Bris acknowledged the level of intensity his players will have to come to terms with and how Sunderland are undertaking an ongoing learning curve to match that level.
"The gap is big, we know this. On the sideline you feel the quality. Someone like (Lucas) Paqueta, you feel the ability to hold the ball even with three, four players around him.
"We needed this short period of time to feel the quality. We don’t have huge collective experience behind us so we have to feel this to learn."
A major way of instilling those messages is through the newly-assigned captain Granit Xhaka, who can draw on various situations at Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen to guide those accompanying him in the dressing room.
Le Bris has revealed a snippet of what the Switzerland international said after the match to his teammates.
"Enjoy now, first of all. Second point, Granit spoke for 30 seconds about this togetherness and this way of suffering together. We know that this is going to be key for the season. So we have to stay humble, and reset."
"We needed both sides of the performance. We have spoken a lot about tactics but it is obvious that we needed to show desire, intensity. They used the connection with the fans as well."
Always room for more in the market
Adopting this mentality has been at the forefront of Sunderland chiefs' plans to make a bold statement.
The starting midfield trio was entirely different to that of Sunderland's triumph at Wembley's play-off final in May.
Habib Diarra, Xhaka, and Noah Sadiki are financially valued much higher and add substantial quality that Le Bris seems confident to depend upon.
"It's key to have three midfielders well connected with different qualities. We have two or three more options as well. This set up worked well and we'll see for the future."
The transfer window closes in just over two weeks and defender Nordi Mukiele has already been announced as Sunderland's latest signing.
The French manager in his maiden Premier League season has undoubtedly been backed through securing signings, but he affirmed how players need to align with the specific project Sunderland have.
"I think probably we will be a bit more attractive after this win! I think this is important. At the same time, we have to find the right players for the project.
"So far, I’m really happy with the way the new lads are connecting with the project. I think you could see that in the performance today. So if there are next ones, or two more we will see, they have to be exactly the same."