Sunderland launched their Premier League campaign with a thunderous 3–0 victory over West Ham, defying possession stats and expectations alike. Despite having just 36% of the ball, the Black Cats were clinical, composed, and utterly ruthless in front of goal.
⚽ Match Recap
West Ham dominated early possession, completing 550 passes to Sunderland’s 317. But it was Tony Mowbray’s side who made their moments count.
After a tense first half, the breakthrough came in the 61st minute when Eliezer Mayenda latched onto a loose ball and rifled it past Alphonse Areola. Just 12 minutes later, center-back Daniel Ballard rose highest on a corner to double the lead with a bullet header.
As West Ham pushed forward in desperation, Sunderland struck again—this time on the counter. In the 92nd minute, Wilson Isidor coolly slotted home after a slick one-two with Jobe Bellingham, sealing a dream start for the home side.
📊 Match Stats
| Category | Sunderland | West Ham |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 10 | 12 |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 4 |
| Possession | 36% | 64% |
| Passes | 317 | 550 |
| Pass Accuracy | 77% | 84% |
| Fouls | 8 | 10 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 | 1 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Offsides | 0 | 0 |
| Corners | 5 | 7 |
🌟 Star Performers
- Eliezer Mayenda: Opened the scoring with a composed finish and led the press.
- Daniel Ballard: Rock-solid at the back and lethal in the air.
- Wilson Isidor: Injected pace and precision off the bench, capping the night with a goal.
- Anthony Patterson: Kept a clean sheet with key saves and confident distribution.
🔮 What’s Next?
Sunderland’s next fixture will test whether this was a one-off or the beginning of a breakout season. With Mayenda and Isidor showing early chemistry, and Ballard anchoring the defense, fans have every reason to dream.
West Ham, meanwhile, must regroup quickly. Possession without penetration won’t win matches—and David Moyes knows it.
📍 For full coverage and exclusive insights, visit PulseSportsHub
