Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris hails squad’s Premier League readiness after dominant 3-0 victory over West Ham
Sunderland made a stunning return to the Premier League with a commanding 3-0 win over West Ham, proving they can compete at the highest level. After a cautious first half, the Black Cats turned on the style in the second period, with Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard, and Wilson Isidor all finding the net to secure a memorable three points.
Le Bris praised his team’s resilience, saying: “I’m delighted for the fans, the players, and the club. We’ve progressed through different phases in pre-season, integrating new signings and refining our approach. Today, we demonstrated strong foundations—we were organized, hard to break down, and clinical when it mattered.”
West Ham controlled much of the first half, but Sunderland’s tactical adjustments at halftime shifted the momentum. “We made minor tweaks, like dealing with their goal kicks and pressing higher,” Le Bris explained. “Going man-for-man helped us win duels, and those small changes made a big difference.”
Despite significant summer investment, it was last season’s promotion heroes who delivered. Mayenda, fresh from signing a new long-term deal, opened his Premier League account after a goalless pre-season. “It’s crucial that these players prove they can make the step up,” said Le Bris. “They embody the club’s identity and the unity we’ve built. Today, they showed exactly why they’re so important.”
The only concern was an injury to Jenson Seelt, who appeared to hurt his back while contesting an aerial duel. However, Le Bris played down the severity: “It doesn’t look serious. Omar [Bogle] came on and showed our depth at center-back, which is a positive.”
Amid the celebrations, Le Bris highlighted Granit Xhaka’s leadership role in fostering team spirit. “First, we’ll enjoy this moment,” he said. “But as Granit reminded us, staying united, working hard, and staying humble will be key this season. Now, we reset and prepare for the next challenge.”
