Date: Saturday, 16 August 2025
Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
Competition: Premier League 2025/26, Matchweek 1
Referee: Robert Jones
The long-awaited Premier League return for Sunderland began in perfect fashion, as they marked their comeback after eight years away from the top flight with a commanding 3-0 win over West Ham United. A vibrant Stadium of Light crowd witnessed a second-half masterclass where Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard, and Wilson Isidor found the net to secure all three points.
This opening-day clash of Sunderland vs West Ham in EPL 2025/2026 highlighted resilience, passion, and ruthless finishing from Régis Le Bris’ side, while Graham Potter’s Hammers were left searching for answers after a lackluster defensive display.
Sunderland vs West Ham United Head-to-Head Record Before the Match
- Total Meetings (All Competitions): 98
- Sunderland Wins: 32
- West Ham Wins: 39
- Draws: 27
Their last top-flight meeting before this clash was back in the 2016/17 season, where West Ham edged Sunderland home and away. But in Sunderland vs West Ham EPL 2025/2026, the tables turned dramatically.
Sunderland vs West Ham United Lineups
Sunderland (4-3-3)
Starting XI:
- GK: Robin Roefs (22)
- RB: Trai Hume (32)
- CB: Dan Ballard (5)
- CB: Jenson Seelt (23) → 53’ Omar Alderete (15)
- LB: Reinildo Mandava (17)
- CM: Habib Diarra (19) (C)
- CM: Granit Xhaka (34)
- CM: Noah Sadiki (27) → 93’ Chris Rigg (11)
- RW: Chemsdine Talbi (7) → 90+3’ Chris Rigg
- CF: Eliezer Mayenda (12) → 76’ Wilson Isidor (18)
- LW: Simon Adingra (24) → 76’ Enzo Le Fée (28)
Manager: Régis Le Bris
Substitutes: Patterson (GK), Dan Neil, Marc Guiu, Patrick Roberts, Harrison Jones
West Ham United (3-4-1-2)
Starting XI:
- GK: Mads Hermansen (1) → 82’ Andy Irving (39)
- CB: Jean-Clair Todibo (25) → 82’ Andy Irving (39)
- CB: Maximilian Kilman (3) ⚠️ 70’
- CB: Nayef Aguerd (5)
- RWB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (29) → 71’ Ollie Scarles (30)
- CM: James Ward-Prowse (8) → 71’ Tomáš Soucek (28)
- CM: Guido Rodríguez (24) → 71’ Callum Wilson (9)
- LWB: Malick Diouf (12)
- CAM: Lucas Paquetá (10) (C)
- ST: Jarrod Bowen (20)
- ST: Niclas Füllkrug (11)
Manager: Graham Potter
Substitutes: Areola (GK), Edson Álvarez, Mavropanos, Freddie Potts
Sunderland vs West Ham United Match Progress
First Half
The opening half saw both sides trade chances. Sunderland’s Habib Diarra tested Hermansen early (6’), while Bowen and Füllkrug looked threatening but were denied by Robin Roefs and Sunderland’s resolute defence. Ballard’s header (44’) nearly broke the deadlock, but Hermansen kept West Ham level.
Half-Time: Sunderland 0-0 West Ham United
Second Half
The game exploded into life after the restart. In the 61st minute, Eliezer Mayenda rose highest to head home Alderete’s cross, sending the Stadium of Light into raptures. Twelve minutes later, Dan Ballard doubled the lead with another towering header (73’).
In stoppage time, substitute Wilson Isidor sealed the victory (90+2’) with a composed finish after a swift break.
Full-Time: Sunderland 3-0 West Ham United
Sunderland vs West Ham United Stats
| Sunderland vs West Ham United Stats | Sunderland | West Ham |
| Possession | 36.8% | 63.2% |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 0.70 | 0.61 |
| Total Shots | 10 | 12 |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 4 |
| Corners | 5 | 7 |
| Saves | 4 | 2 |
| Blocks | 7 | 8 |
| Clearances | 31 | 14 |
| Fouls | 8 | 10 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 | 1 (Kilman) |
Sunderland vs West Ham United Timeline & Commentary
- 6’ – Diarra shot saved by Hermansen.
- 29’ – Bowen’s strike blocked by Ballard.
- 44’ – Ballard header saved by Hermansen.
- HT: Sunderland 0-0 West Ham.
- 53’ – Seelt off injured, Alderete comes on.
- 61’ – GOAL Sunderland 1-0 West Ham (Mayenda, header, Alderete assist).
- 70’ – Kilman booked for foul on Mayenda.
- 73’ – GOAL Sunderland 2-0 West Ham (Ballard, header).
- 76’ – Isidor & Le Fée subbed on.
- 85’ – Soucek shot saved by Roefs.
- 90+2’ – GOAL Sunderland 3-0 West Ham (Isidor, right-foot finish, Talbi assist).
- FT: Sunderland 3-0 West Ham United.
Sunderland vs West Ham United Impact on the Points Table
This victory puts Sunderland top of the Premier League table on goal difference alongside Spurs, while West Ham find themselves bottom (20th place) after a poor start.
Updated Standings (Top & Bottom)
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Sunderland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| 2 | Tottenham | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 |
| … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … |
| 19 | Burnley | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
| 20 | West Ham United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
Sunderland vs West Ham United Player Achievements
- Eliezer Mayenda: First Premier League goal for Sunderland.
- Dan Ballard: Goal + crucial defensive interventions.
- Wilson Isidor: Scored in his Premier League debut appearance.
- Robin Roefs: Kept a clean sheet on debut.
Sunderland vs West Ham United Man of the Match
🏆 Dan Ballard (Sunderland) – dominant at both ends with a goal, key defensive block, and leadership.
The Sunderland vs West Ham EPL 2025/2026 clash showcased a fairytale start for Sunderland on their Premier League return. Their intensity, organisation, and second-half sharpness overwhelmed West Ham. For Potter, serious defensive improvements are needed before facing Chelsea.
For Sunderland, this is not just three points, but a statement that they belong back in the Premier League.
FAQs
Q1: Who scored the goals in Sunderland vs West Ham EPL 2025/2026?
A: Mayenda (61’), Ballard (73’), Isidor (90+2’).
Q2: Who was Man of the Match in the Sunderland vs West Ham United?
A: Dan Ballard (Sunderland).
Q3: What was the half-time and full-time score in the Sunderland vs West Ham United?
A: HT: 0-0, FT: Sunderland 3-0 West Ham United.
Q4: How does this Sunderland vs West Ham United result affect the table?
A: Sunderland go top (1st), West Ham drop to bottom (20th).
Q5: How did Sunderland’s new signings perform?
A: Habib Diarra was lively, Robin Roefs kept a clean sheet, and Isidor scored late on.
