Premier League Gameweek 1: Sunderland 3-0 West Ham United – Player Ratings, Match Highlights, and More

Sunderland on their awaited return to the Premier League kicked off their 2025/26 campaign with a 3-0 win over West Ham United. To the joy of home fans, Sunderland delivered three second-half goals as striker Eliezer Mayenda opened the scoring.

Sunderland also carved out most of the game’s big chances and matched West Ham’s shot count with 10 to their 12. Defensively, Sunderland’s goalkeeper stood taller with 4 saves compared to West Ham’s 2, highlighting a solid backline under pressure. The well-rounded performance cemented Sunderland’s deserved victory on the day.

🚨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Sunderland's first Premier League game in 8 YEARS resulted in a WIN! 🤩✅

3-0 victory against West Ham. Fantastic start to the campaign for them. 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/e6FKDCpVwi
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) August 16, 2025

Sunderland vs West Ham United Player Ratings

Sunderland defender Daniel Ballard was the man of the match as he scored the second goal of the game. Being rated 9.4(via – SofaScore), the young defender showcased his defensive prowess with 8 clearances, 1 clearance off the line, and 4 shots blocked.

Top-Performers Of the Game

Player	Rating	Position
D. Ballard	9.4	Defender
E. Mayenda	7.4	Forward
T. Hume	7.3	Defender
L. Paquetá	7.3	Midfielder
J. Seelt	7.2	Defender

(via – SofaScore)

Slow Day At the Office

West Ham Attack had very less on serious threat against Sunderland. With their new signing Nicklas Fullkrug failing to deliver, he ends up among the lowest-rated players of the game.

Player	Rating	Position
N. Aguerd	5.4	Defender
N. Füllkrug	5.5	Forward
C. Talbi	5.5	Defender

Sunderland's tifo to mark their first Premier League match since 2017 is something else 😮‍💨🤩🔴 pic.twitter.com/O3c9T7jIK2
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) August 16, 2025

West Ham United conceding three goals in the second half will see this as a disappointing day. Controlling the ball for 63% of the game, the Hammers had nothing to show as Sunderland punished them in the last quarter.

With Wilson Isidor icing the cake with a stoppage-time goal, fans from the Stadium of Light were seen shining as they left the park. The season starting on a high is always a good sign as Sunderland faces Burnley away in Gameweek 2 of the Premier League.

Premier League 2025-26

Sunderland

West Ham United

Mayur Dedwal

soccer

I’m a Sports Content Writer with expertise in football. Being a decade old football enthusiast and part-time coach, I try to bring to life to the articles in a statistical manner. Being around all kinds of sports updates and able to put in my perspective’s to the happenings in the world of football are few of the many things i like in doing what i do. You can find me playing Sunday leagues or Xbox on weekends!