Sunderland handed debuts to eight new players on their Premier League return but it was a trio of familiar faces who ensured they made a perfect start to the season.
Promotion heroes Eliezer Mayenda and Dan Ballard each produced thumping second-half headers before Wilson Isidor capped off a wonderful afternoon with a late breakaway third to leave manager Regis Le Bris jumping with joy on Sunderland’s first top-flight game since 2017.
This deserved victory will give hope The Black Cats have a realistic chance of avoiding an immediate return to the Championship but they will face tougher opposition than West Ham who were hopeless with the sole exception of captain Jarrod Bowen.