Ballard the Leader, Mayenda the Spark: Black Cats Find Their Voice Again

By Fakorede King Abdulmajeed | Fuxma Media | August 16, 2025

The Stadium of Light has witnessed many emotional games, but Sunderland’s Premier League return will stand alongside the most memorable. After eight years in the wilderness, the Black Cats roared back with a 3-0 demolition of West Ham, a performance defined by intensity, belief, and a team that carried the energy of its fans with every touch.

Eliezer Mayenda set the tone, a fearless leap and a thumping header sparking jubilation in the stands. For a young forward making his top-flight bow, it was the perfect introduction. His goal was not only the breakthrough, it was the release Sunderland needed to show they belonged on this stage again.

Dan Ballard, already a cult figure for his goals in promotion battles, doubled the lead with another towering header. West Ham’s defenders looked static, unable to match Sunderland’s aggression in the air. Ballard’s celebration told its own story: this wasn’t just about three points, it was about pride and momentum.

West Ham struggled from the outset. Their build-up was flat, their pressing inconsistent, and their attack lacked bite. Jarrod Bowen, usually their brightest outlet, was shut out by Sunderland’s discipline and tenacity. Graham Potter cut a frustrated figure on the touchline, his players failing to match the intensity of a side determined to make their return unforgettable.

When Wilson Isidor came off the bench and calmly tucked in Sunderland’s third deep into stoppage time, the noise inside the ground hit another level. It was the exclamation mark on a performance that had already been commanding. Sunderland did not sit back to protect a lead, they kept pushing, a reflection of a team intent on setting standards early in the season.

For Tony Mowbray, this was vindication. His side pressed with intelligence, defended with cohesion, and attacked with courage. Sunderland weren’t reckless, they were structured. The midfield closed spaces, the defence stayed alert, and going forward they were decisive. This was a team that looked like it had a clear plan and the conviction to execute it.

The wider story is as much about the supporters as the players. Years of decline, the drop into League One, and the long road back to the top flight have forged resilience in the fanbase. Against West Ham, the Stadium of Light rediscovered its voice, creating the kind of atmosphere that makes opponents uncomfortable before a ball is even kicked.

Sunderland’s journey back to the Premier League has been long and bruising, but this opening-day triumph suggests they are not here to simply survive. They are here to compete, to reclaim their place among English football’s elite, and to do it with the energy of a club that has been reborn.