Sunderland's pitch was sprinkled with holy water ahead of their first game in the Premier League. _(Image: STUART BOLTON / FACEBOOK | FR MARC LYDEN-SMITH)_
This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.
Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard, and Wilson Isidor were all on the scoresheet as Sunderland bagged three points at the first time of asking on their return to the Premier League.
However, their success against West Ham could be attributed to more than just the tactical nous of Regis Le Bris.
Before the game, Catholic priest Father Marc Lyden-Smith doused part of the Stadium of Light pitch in holy water, asking for God to bless the Wearside club in their first top-flight game since 2017.
In a video posted on social media, Fr Lyden-Smith - a parish priest in Sunderland, Washington and Seaham, as well as chaplain to Sunderland AFC - is seen sprinkling a bottle over the technical area of the pitch with the words 'holy water' etched on the side.
"God in Heaven, we ask for your blessing on Sunderland football club at the start of this new season," he said.
Sunderland ran out 3-0 winners against West Ham and sat briefly at the top of the Premier League on the first match day before being usurped by Manchester City on goal difference.
It isn't the first time the [Black Cats](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland) could have been on the receiving end of divine intervention either.It isn't the first time Sunderland have won thanks to divine intervention.
### Recommended reading
In 2013, Fr Lyden-Smith presented then Pope, Francis, with a Sunderland home shirt days before the club went on to beat bitter rivals Newcastle in the derby.
“He wasn’t picking sides but I did ask him to pray for Sunderland and he said that he would," Fr Lyden-Smith said at the time.
Sunderland's next home game is against Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup on August 26.