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Times
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Times
Sunderland run riot on Premier League return against toothless West ham
Returns to the Premier League do not come much better than this. Those eight years away for Sunderland, half of which were spent in League One, felt almost forgotten in the sunshine of the Stadium of Light. Red-and-white and the blue of a new away kit bounced in unity at full-time. No one had left the ground. If there had been any prayers about the perfect day, then they were answered. It feels like this club is a million miles from the one whose last game at this level, on this ground, was a 2-0 defeat to Swansea in 2017. They are getting used to celebration, and headed goals at the Roker End of the stadium. It was from there that this footballing comeback really started, with the most dramatic of stoppage-time goals in the semi-final of the Championship play-off against Coventry from Dan Ballard in May. The stadium shook in celebration then, and he scored again, with his head, like last time (almost) to make it 2-0, with 17 minutes remaining. The ball dropped in the same part of the Roker End goal. The celebrations were not quite as wild, but there was still disbelief amongst the joy. Sunderland had scored their first goal back in the Premier League 12 minutes earlier, just past the hour mark. That was from another header, into the same part of the same goal. It will become sacred ground. The deep cross from the left was provided by the debutant defender Omar Alderete, who had played eight minutes of football in England at that point. It was met by Eliezer Mayenda, who out jumped Nayef Aguerd and sent a downward header back across the West Ham penalty area. Mads Hermansen in the West Ham goal seemed to follow the flight of the ball and then threw out a despairing right hand as the realisation came it was heading into the far corner. His disbelief was matched in the stands of this ground, but then came the celebration. Day one, goal one, and Sunderland were, as their supporters sing, on their way. Ballard would add that second with a much cleaner header than his stoppage-time goal against Coventry. He was excellent once more. There was more to come, when the Sunderland substitute Wilson Isidor broke down the West Ham right, in the first minute of stoppage time. It looked as if he was afforded the freedom of Wearside, before checking inside onto his right foot and shooting. Hermansen flicked out a lazy left hand and the ball went under his body. It needed a double take that Hermansen cost £20million from Leicester this summer. He put his head in his hands after the goal, which he at least did not drop. Nobody in red and white cared. They played Bob Marley's Three Little Birds at full-time. Every little thing was all right. Seven new players had started for Sunderland. After a summer spending spree that has cost £120million, all three goals came from players who had helped Sunderland out of the Championship. Somewhere amidst the joy will come an analysis of just how bad and how toothless West Ham were, and where exactly they are heading under Graham Potter. They got worse as it went on — Ballard cleared an effort off the line from El Hadji Malick Diouf in the first half — and by the time Sunderland's third went in, their 3000 supporters had seen enough and were heading south.
Telegraph
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Sunderland vs West Ham predictions: Premier League tips and odds
Our expert has two tips for Saturday's Premier League match between Sunderland and West Ham United at the Stadium of Light (kick-off, 3pm). We think a low-scoring contest could be on the cards. Sunderland vs West Ham tips Under 2.5 goals @ 17/20 with Paddy Power Simon Adingra to have a shot on target @ 11/10 with Paddy Power Odds courtesy of Paddy Power. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change. Already a Paddy Power member? Check out more free bets from the best betting sites, reviewed by our experts. Match details What: Sunderland vs West Ham, Premier League Where: Stadium of Light When: 3pm, Saturday August 16 Stadium of Light set for cagey opener A turbulent promotion campaign in the Championship has been followed by a chaotic summer for Sunderland, who have brought in 11 new players in a bid to survive on their return to the Premier League. But, as the old football adage goes, it could take time to bed in those new signings and I would not rush to back them on the opening weekend, even in front of a buoyant home crowd at the Stadium of Light. West Ham, meanwhile, underwhelmed last season in finishing 14th, with Graham Potter unable to win over the fanbase since his appointment in January. Therefore, the match result might be best left alone this weekend, and under 2.5 goals instead appeals at 17/20. Sunderland scored the fewest goals of the teams to make the top six in the Championship last season, with the likes of Middlesbrough in 10th, Sheffield Wednesday in 12th and Norwich City in 13th all scoring more. They did, however, have the fourth-best defence in the league and they should limit the threat of a West Ham team who themselves averaged just 1.21 goals per game in last term's Premier League. The Hammers haven't yet replaced Mohammed Kudus so they could be short of firepower up front. Adingra could shine for the hosts Of the 11 signings made by Sunderland this summer, it is fair to argue that Simon Adingra looks like one of the best. Still only 23, he previously impressed at Brighton & Hove Albion, scoring two goals and laying on two assists in 12 league starts for the Seagulls last season. Despite not being a first-team regular, Adingra managed 33 shots in his 29 appearances in the league last season, an impressive feat given that 17 of those appearances were as a substitute. The likes of Jarrod Bowen, Elizer Mayenda, Wilson Isidor, Maxwel Cornet and Niclas Fullkrug are all odds-on to have an effort on target at the time of writing, so Adingra to do the same at 11/10 is worth a bet. Sunderland vs West Ham odds Sunderland @ 21/10 with Paddy Power Draw @ 23/10 with Paddy Power West Ham @ 5/4 with Paddy Power All odds courtesy of Paddy Power. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Potter on transfer challenges, 'huge' potential and Sunderland
West Ham boss Graham Potter has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Sunderland at Stadium of Light (kick-off 15:00 BST).Here are the key lines from his news conference:Crysencio Summerville "is in the last stages of his rehab" but is unavailable for the season opener and so is midfielder George Earthy who "sustained an injury early in pre-season."Potter said he has been "delighted" with how his squad have trained over the summer so is "very excited to be back."On starting the season away at promoted Sunderland: "It's going to be a great atmosphere, and a big test, but we're ready and looking forward to it. We need to make sure we match the intensity and positivity of the environment."He said West Ham will continue to scour the transfer market while the window remains open, but added: "It's not just about signing any players - it is about signing the right players who can help the team improve."More on possible incomings: "You have to balance the PSR challenges with trying to improve the team. It isn't straightforward just to bring players in."On new signing Callum Wilson: "He brings experience, a know-how and a quality which isn't easy to find. He's a proven Premier League striker with fantastic mentality. We have to help him enjoy his football and be on the pitch. That's what we are confident about."Potter was bullish on West Ham's chances for success: "The potential here is huge and the ambition should be huge because it's a huge club." On whether they can achieve a European spot this season: "If you can get that bit with the players and supporters where everyone is aligned and together,then anything can happen."On the possibility of seeing academy players breaking into the team this season: "What you have to understand about West Ham - and every Premier League club - is that we're not development clubs, we're here to win and be competitive. The academy is an important part of our club, and we want to give opportunities if it's right and the players are ready to take them."Listen to live commentary of Sunderland v West Ham on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:00 BST on SaturdayFollow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Countdown to 2025-26 season is on - but are Sunderland ready?
Pre-season is completed and the countdown to the 2025-26 season is been a busy summer at the Stadium of Light with several new faces to bolster Regis le Bris' squad for the Premier League Black Cats start the season at home on Saturday - but are they ready?Get in touch
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sunderland's new director Ghisolfi has 'glowing reputation in football'
BBC Radio Newcastle's Simon Pryde has been discussing what Sunderland's new director of football Florent Ghisolfi will bring to the Stadium of Light, and how his responsibilities will differ to current sporting director Kristjaan Speakman. Ghisolfi, 40, left a position as sporting director at AS Roma last month before taking the role at Sunderland, which he will begin on Thursday."Kristjaan Speakman covers a lot of bases," Pryde said, "He's in overall control of everything that goes on in the football club. From the academy, to the first team, to the strategy that Kyril Louis-Dreyfus [the chairman] wants to implement."I think Ghisolfi will be on recruitment. His umbrella will be over player recruitment and the first team squad. Speakman has a wide brief at the moment and this will allow him to focus because the structures in the Premier League are vastly different than those in the EFL. [There are] a lot more hoops to jump through and lot more administration."Ghisolfi has plenty of experience. [He was] assistant manager at Lorient for two years. [As a football director] he's been at Lens and he's been at Nice so he has a glowing reputation within football as a director."Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds
