EPL: West Ham Struggles Continue with 3-0 Loss to Sunderland in Premier League Opener

Sunderland's thrashing win over West Ham marks perfect Premier League return

Sunderland's 3-0 win over West Ham marked a perfect start to their Premier League campaign, with the Black Cats outclassing the Hammers in a thrilling encounter.

West Ham's substitutions failed to yield the desired impact, as Sunderland sealed...

Sunderland's triumphant return to the Premier League began with a convincing 3-0 victory over West Ham United at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats, led by manager Regis Le Bris, made a statement with their performance, ending West Ham's streak of 17 losses in the opening match of a Premier League season. Despite the visitors' early pressure, Sunderland's goalkeeper Robin Roefs made a crucial save to deny Jarrod Bowen's effort.

The match dynamics shifted in the second half, with Sunderland scoring three unanswered goals. Eliezer Mayenda broke the deadlock in the 61st minute with a precise header from Omar Alderete's cross. Dan Ballard doubled the lead in the 73rd minute with another header, this time from Simon Adingra's whipped cross. Substitute Wilson Isidor sealed the win with a stunning strike in the 90+2 minute, showcasing Sunderland's attacking prowess.

The win marked Sunderland's first Premier League victory since May 2017 and positioned them at the top of the league table. West Ham, on the other hand, faced a tough start to their campaign, struggling to convert their chances into goals.

After eight years away, @SunderlandAFC are back in the Premier League with a BANG 😤 pic.twitter.com/R1LD4RrsT8

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 16, 2025

The home side quickly found their footing, shaking off any initial jitters to settle into the game. They created their first significant chance within 10 minutes, as Habib Diarra combined with Eliezer Mayenda before unleashing a shot that forced Mads Hermansen into a smart save. The hosts continued to dominate the early proceedings.

The Hammers began to gain momentum just before the half-hour mark, with new signing El Hadji Malick Diouf growing in confidence. Diouf's low-driven shot was blocked by Daniel Ballard, hinting at potential attacking threats from the West Ham side as they sought to level the match.

As halftime approached, Jarrod Bowen's influence on the game was growing, but despite West Ham's best efforts, they couldn't capitalize on their chances. Sunderland's defense held strong, keeping a clean sheet in the opening 45 minutes. The Black Cats' solidity and determination seemed to pay off, as they successfully weathered the Hammers' attacks.

The second half began positively for Sunderland, with Simon Adingra flashing a shot narrowly wide. However, the home side's momentum was disrupted when Jenson Seelt went down following a collision while going for a header. Despite this setback, Sunderland's confidence and composure remained evident as they continued to push forward.

The momentum swung decisively in Sunderland's favor on the hour mark when Omar Alderete's whipped cross found Eliezer Mayenda, who brilliantly headed the ball home on the stretch. The Stadium of Light erupted as the home side took the lead, putting pressure on West Ham to respond.

Despite manager Julen Lopetegui's attempts to spark a comeback with some tactical substitutions, including introducing former Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson, West Ham struggled to mount a meaningful response. Wilson's introduction was met with boos from the Sunderland crowd, adding to the tension as West Ham's woes continued to mount.

West Ham's substitutions failed to yield the desired impact, as Sunderland sealed their victory with a second goal in the 73rd minute. Simon Adingra's pinpoint cross into the box was met by Dan Ballard, who nodded the ball home with authority, doubling the lead for the Black Cats. The home crowd erupted in delight, celebrating Sunderland's dream start to their Premier League return.

Sunderland's last two Premier League wins, eight years apart 🗓️

It's good to have you back, @SunderlandAFC 😌 pic.twitter.com/yGKkI2rN6M

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 16, 2025

West Ham's hopes of a comeback were extinguished as Sunderland sealed their victory with a third goal in stoppage time. Wilson Isidor scored the clincher, collecting the ball near the halfway line, driving to the edge of the box, and slotting the ball into the far corner with precision. The goal capped off a dominant display by Sunderland, who celebrated a convincing 3-0 win on their Premier League return.

Sunderland's 3-0 victory over West Ham marked a significant turnaround for the Black Cats, who had struggled in their previous nine season-opening Premier League matches. This win brought jubilation to the Stadium of Light, ending a concerning streak. Meanwhile, West Ham's loss raised concerns about their performance against promoted teams, with manager Julen Lopetegui facing scrutiny after a disappointing start.

Key Stats:

• Possession: Sunderland 36-37% vs West Ham United 63-64%

• Shots on Target: Sunderland 4-5 vs West Ham United 4-5

• Goals: Sunderland 3 (Mayenda, Ballard, Isidor) vs West Ham United 0