SUNDERLAND (4-3-3):
8 Roefs: Made a fine late save when he tipped a deflected free-kick over the bar and was positive and commanding throughout
8 Hume: Started in the Premier League as he clearly means to go on, thumping into tackles and pushing on down the right
9 BALLARD: Capped a brilliant defensive display with the thumping header that doubled Sunderland’s lead
6 Seelt: Defended impressively throughout the first half, but was forced off after landing awkwardly at the start of the second period
8 Reinildo: Could not have made much of a better debut – timed a crucial first-half challenge on Bowen to perfection
9 Diarra: Shone at the heart of the Sunderland midfield, breaking into the box with a mixture of power and purpose
8 Xhaka: Oozed class and composure at the base of Sunderland’s midfield – set the tone for his side’s polished performance
7 Sadiki: Did a lot of the dirty work when West Ham threatened to get on top of things in the first half
7 Talbi: Flickered in and out of the game, but produced a fine pass to release Isidor on the break for Sunderland’s third
8 Mayenda: Opened his Premier League account in style with a superb angled header that found the far corner
7 Adingra: Claimed an assist with the cross for Ballard’s goal and was constantly looking to stretch the West Ham defence
Subs:
7 Alderete (for Seelt, 53): Settled straight into things after his introduction and provided the cross for Mayenda’s opener
Le Fee (for Adingra, 75)
Isidor (for Mayenda, 75)
Rigg (for Talbi, 90+4)
(not used): Patterson (gk), H Jones, Neil, Roberts, Guiu.
WEST HAM (3-4-1-2):
Hermansen 4; Aguerd 4, Kilman 4, Todibo 3 (Irving 82); Wan-Bissaka 5, Ward-Prowse 6 (Soucek 71), Rodriguez 5 (Wilson 71), Diouf 4; Paqueta 4; Fullkrug 4, BOWEN 6.
Subs: Areola (gk), Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Alvarez, Scarles, Potts.
Man Of The Match: DAN BALLARD – The hero of Sunderland’s play-off semi-final starred again as the Black Cats kicked off life in the Premier League in style.
