Sunderland – West Ham United: Sunderland Fly High On Premier League Return (3-0)

Sunderland marked their return to the Premier League in style, downing a toothless West Ham side in front of a raucous Stadium of Light. The promoted side showed energy, compactness, and opportunism, while West Ham under Graham Potter failed to find rhythm either on or off the ball.

Tactical analysis and match report by Sander IJtsma.

After years of exile, the Stadium of Light finally staged top-flight football again, and the atmosphere was electric. The club’s promotion had been built on a blend of youthful energy and experienced additions, with Granit Xhaka anchoring midfield and Robin Roefs — one of the revelations of the U21 European Championship — taking the gloves.

For the visitors, the opening day carried a different weight. Graham Potter is entering his second season at West Ham, but crucially his first with a full summer to prepare. His debut campaign never clicked, with a muddled identity and little cohesion in possession or pressing. The board backed him, however, and this summer felt like a reset. Key reinforcements arrived: Jean-Clair Todibo to strengthen the defense, Mads Hermansen in goal, and young Senegalese talent El Hadji Malick Diouf for the left flank. Kyle Walker-Peters joined on a free, while veteran striker Callum Wilson provided depth up front. Yet the optimism was tempered by the loss of Mohamed Kudus to Spurs, stripping the team of their most unpredictable attacking threat.

The contrast was sharp: Sunderland chasing momentum, using energy and emotion as weapons; West Ham searching for calm, structure, and evidence that . . .