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Sunderland Triumphs in Premier League Comeback, Defeats West Ham 3-0
16 Aug
Summary
- Sunderland's first Premier League match since 2017
- Sunderland scores 3 goals, West Ham held scoreless
- Sunderland's new signings make strong debuts
On August 16, 2025, Sunderland marked their return to the Premier League with an impressive 3-0 victory over West Ham at the Stadium of Light. After an eight-year absence from the top flight, the Black Cats put on a dominant display, withstanding early pressure from the Hammers before their new signings took over.
Sunderland's Championship play-off heroes proved to be the difference, with Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard, and substitute Wilson Isidor finding the back of the net. Mayenda opened the scoring in the 61st minute, nodding home a looping cross, and Ballard soon doubled the lead, heading in from the left side of the box. Isidor then capped off the win with a cool finish in added time.
Sunderland had made 11 new signings this summer, and seven of them were handed their first starts, with only Trai Hume, Ballard, and Mayenda surviving from the team that won the Championship play-off final. West Ham also had two debutants in their lineup, but they were unable to find a way past Sunderland's resolute defense.
