Sunderland 3-0 West Ham: The Shocking Player Ratings That Exposed West Ham's Opening Day Disaster

The Premier League 2025/26 season kicked off with a seismic shock at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, August 16, 2025, as newly-promoted Sunderland A.F.C. demolished West Ham United with a stunning 3-0 victory. This was not just a win; it was a comprehensive statement from the Black Cats, who outfought and outmanoeuvred a listless Hammers side across the pitch. The player ratings from this opening-day fixture tell a brutal story, highlighting the defensive masterclass put on by a resurgent Sunderland squad and the alarming individual failures within the West Ham ranks.

The match saw goals from young striker Eliezer Mayenda, defensive powerhouse Dan Ballard, and a late strike from substitute Wilson Isidor, securing three points and sending a clear message to the rest of the league. While the atmosphere at the Stadium of Light was electric, the performance of several key West Ham players under manager Graham Potter has raised serious questions, with many of their ratings dipping into the unforgiving 5/10 range. This deep dive dissects every player's contribution, revealing who truly earned their stripes and who crumbled under the Premier League pressure.

Sunderland A.F.C. Player Ratings: Black Cats' Defensive Masterclass

Sunderland’s victory was built on a foundation of defensive solidity and clinical finishing. Despite having significantly less possession (around 37.2%), the Black Cats were ruthlessly efficient, making their chances count. The ratings reflect a team performance where nearly every player excelled, with the backline earning particular praise.

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Goalkeeper & Defence:

• GK: Robin Roefs – 7.9/10: A solid debut. Made crucial saves to deny West Ham's early pressure, particularly from set-pieces. His distribution was sharp and commanded his box well.
• RB: Trai Hume – 7/10: Energetic and tenacious. Kept the left flank quiet and provided a constant outlet going forward. A typical high-effort performance.
• CB: Dan Ballard – 9.2/10 (Man of the Match): A colossal performance. Scored the crucial second goal and was an absolute wall at the back. He dominated aerial duels, made key interceptions, and was the undisputed star man.
• CB: Jenson Seelt – 7/10: Solid alongside Ballard before being substituted due to injury. His composure under pressure was notable.
• LB: Reinildo – 7.2/10: A strong, physical presence on the left. His defensive positioning was excellent, limiting the threat from West Ham's wingers.

Midfield & Attack:

• CM: Granit Xhaka (C) – 7/10: The new captain dictated the tempo and provided the steel needed in the midfield battle. His leadership was evident throughout the second half.
• CM: Habib Diarra – 6.6/10: A quieter game than Xhaka but provided necessary energy and ball recovery in the engine room.
• RW: Patrick Roberts – 7/10: His pace and trickery caused constant problems for the West Ham full-backs, setting up several promising attacks.
• CAM: Pierre Ekwah – 7/10: Linked the midfield and attack effectively. His vision helped unlock the West Ham defence for the opening goal.
• LW: Wilson Isidor – 7/10: Came on as a substitute and sealed the win with a composed finish in stoppage time. An instant impact.
• ST: Eliezer Mayenda – 8/10: Scored the pivotal opening goal on 61 minutes. His movement and relentless pressing were key to Sunderland’s tactical success.

West Ham United Player Ratings: A Humbled and Toothless Performance

For West Ham, this was a chastening defeat that immediately put pressure on Graham Potter. The team looked disjointed, struggled to convert their high possession into clear chances, and capitulated defensively in the second half. The ratings for the Hammers' players are stark, with several key figures failing to perform.

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Goalkeeper & Defence:

• GK: Hermansen – 5/10: The new signing had a difficult debut. While not directly at fault for all goals, his handling looked shaky, and he failed to inspire confidence in the backline.
• RB: Coufal – 5/10: Overrun defensively, particularly in the build-up to the first goal. His attacking contribution was minimal.
• CB: Todibo – 7/10: One of the few bright spots. Showed excellent one-on-one defending early on and was heavily involved in trying to build possession from the back. He was let down by those around him.
• CB: Aguerd – 5/10: Looked uncomfortable and slow to react to the pace of Mayenda and Isidor. A poor day at the office for the centre-back.
• LB: Emerson – 5.5/10: Struggled to contain the threat of Patrick Roberts and offered little impetus on the left flank.

Midfield & Attack:

• CM: Souček – 5/10: Failed to protect the defence and was bypassed too easily in the midfield battle. His usual aerial threat was non-existent.
• CM: Lucas Paquetá – 6/10: Showed flashes of quality and tried to create, but his final ball was often lacking, and he became visibly frustrated as the game wore on.
• CM: Ward-Prowse – 5.5/10: His usually reliable set-piece delivery was below par, and he struggled to influence the game from open play.
• RW: Bowen – 6/10: Worked hard but was isolated and couldn't find a way past the solid Reinildo. A frustrating afternoon for the winger.
• LW: Cornet – 4/10: A completely anonymous performance. Offered no threat and was rightly substituted early in the second half. The lowest rating on the pitch.
• ST: Antonio – 5/10: Battled the Sunderland centre-backs but lacked the sharpness to convert the few half-chances that came his way.

Tactical Analysis: How Sunderland's Promotion-Winning Mentality Overwhelmed the Hammers

The 3-0 scoreline was a testament to a clear tactical disparity. Sunderland, under their manager, executed a perfect counter-attacking strategy. They conceded possession, allowing West Ham to control the ball (62.8% possession), but their low block was organised and difficult to break down.

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The key moment came in the second half. Sunderland's fitness and hunger shone through, scoring all three goals after the 60th minute. The opening goal from Eliezer Mayenda was a product of high pressing and quick transition, catching the West Ham defence flat-footed.

The Ballard Effect: Dan Ballard’s performance was the lynchpin. Not only did he score the second goal—a powerful header from a set-piece—but his overall defensive metrics were exceptional. He was the anchor that allowed the full-backs to push up when necessary, neutralising the threat of Jarrod Bowen and the West Ham attack. His leadership at the back was instrumental in keeping the clean sheet.

West Ham's Midfield Void: The biggest concern for the visitors was the midfield's inability to transition from defence to attack. The trio of Souček, Paquetá, and Ward-Prowse struggled to break down Sunderland's organised defence. They lacked the dynamism to create space, leading to predictable attacks and easy clearances for the Black Cats' backline. The result is a clear warning sign for Graham Potter that his squad needs immediate adjustments to compete effectively in the Premier League 2025/26 season.