Sunderland hammer West Ham in their Premier League return | OneFootball

Sunderland marked their return to the Premier League in style, cruising to a 3-0 victory over West Ham at a lively Stadium of Light.

The breakthrough came shortly after the hour mark when Eliezer Mayenda, hero of Sunderland’s Championship play-off final in May, rose to head home Omar Alderete’s cross, sending the home crowd into raptures.

The Black Cats doubled their lead soon after, with Dan Ballard heading in a corner to extend the lead, his goal another reminder of his knack for rising to the occasion in big matches.

Their third goal came deep into stoppage time when Wilson Isidor sealed the win, beating goalkeeper Mads Hermansen with a precise strike into the far corner following a quick counterattack.

West Ham pressed late on and had a few chances, including a near-miss from Niclas Fullkrug and a blocked effort by Tomas Soucek, but Sunderland’s defence held firm to keep a clean sheet.

It was a debut Premier League victory Sunderland can savour, a statement that they are ready to compete at the top level once again, while West Ham will be left reflecting on a frustrating afternoon.