Sunderland marked their first Premier League game in eight years in explosive fashion, beating West Ham United by three goals to nothing at the Stadium of Light on Saturday evening.
The Black Cats had lost 10 and won just one of their previous 14 top-flight matches leading to relegation in 2017, but they showed clear intent in the summer, aiming to avoid the fate that has befallen recent newcomers.
After a first half where the visitors looked more dangerous, Sunderland pounced after the interval. Goals from Eliezer Mayenda, Daniel Ballard, and Wilson Isidor sealed a commanding 3-0 victory.
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The win not only set Régis Le Bris’ charges off to a perfect start, but also marked the club’s first Premier League home victory in 10 games, since a 1-0 success over Watford in December 2016. Sunderland had lost six and drawn four in their final 10 home fixtures of 2016–17.
Manager Regis Le Bris also become only the third French manager in history of the Premier League to win their first game after Arsène Wenger of Arsenal and Alain Perrin for Portsmouth.
The 3-0 triumph is also their biggest top-flight home result since beating Hull City by the same scoreline in November 2016. It was likewise the first time they netted three second-half goals in a Premier League match since a 3-1 away win at Fulham in November 2012.
The Black Cats became the first newly promoted side to win a Gameweek 1 fixture since Bournemouth beat Aston Villa 2-0 in 2022–23, while their result is the biggest opening-day win for a newcomer since Huddersfield Town’s 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace in 2017–18.
A huge statement from the side captained by Granit Xhaka, who, alongside several exciting summer recruits, looks determined to stay competitive in a league that has shown little kindness to newcomers in recent years.
Sunderland sit second behind Manchester City in the early standings ahead of Sunday’s fixtures, and next travel to face fellow newcomers Burnley—who lost 3-0 at Spurs—in what promises to be another stern test.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
