Yes, the Black Cats have made 11 signings so far this summer, a tally that will rise to 12 when Nordi Mukiele’s arrival from Paris St Germain is confirmed in the next 24 hours. Yes, Saturday’s starting line-up contained more Sunderland debutants than any other team selected during the whole of the Premier League era.
But while a number of those debut performers made important contributions to Sunderland’s biggest opening-day win since 1974, it nevertheless felt significant that all three goalscorers were players who had played an integral role in last season’s promotion success.
Eliezer Mayenda, hero of Wembley, coming up with the goods again as he headed home the opener from substitute Omar Alderete’s cross. Dan Ballard, Sunderland’s play-off semi-final match-winner, reprising his heroics in front of the Roker End as he converted another pinpoint delivery from Simon Adingra. Wilson Isidor, 12-goal star of the Championship campaign, opening his Premier League account in stoppage time as he calmly stroked a low finish into the corner.
Regis Le Bris has talked about the need to change and progress repeatedly this summer, but the Black Cats boss also knows how important it is to maintain the sense of spirit and momentum that played such a pivotal role in last season’s achievements. On the evidence of Saturday’s opener, the new-look Sunderland still features many of the best elements of the old.
“It was important [that three of last season’s players played such an important role] for two reasons,” said a justifiably satisfied Le Bris. “First, because they showed they can step up. We’ll see later, but today it was the case.
“And then it’s also really important because they keep the identity of the club and the way we worked last season. We built this strength about togetherness, the way we work as a team. The players worked well as a team, and they showed that again today.”
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There were success stories all over the field. Robin Roefs was composed and commanding on his debut in goal, with his best moment coming late on as he tipped a deflected free-kick over the crossbar. Reinildo Mandava caught the eye at left-back, with Alderete also producing an impressive debut after he came on as a second-half replacement for the injured Jenson Seelt. Alongside them in the backline, Ballard was brilliant at both ends of the field.
Sunderland’s new-look midfield three was the catalyst for their win, with summer signings Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra complementing each other perfectly.
Xhaka did exactly what you would expect of him, sitting deep, picking up the ball from his centre-halves and calmly controlling the tempo of Sunderland’s play. Sadiki was more energetic and industrious, scurrying around to close down opponents and break up West Ham attacks, while Diarra was the player looking to break into the opposition’s 18-yard box.
It was in attack, though, where Sunderland really came good, with Mayenda and Isidor both claiming opening-day goals to immediately address any concerns about their ability to cope with the step up to the Premier League.
For all that Sunderland’s transfer activity has been rightly praised, the one lingering worry as the summer progressed was whether the club had assembled sufficient firepower to survive in the top-flight. One swallow does not make a summer, but with Marc Guiu waiting in the wings to add an additional goal threat, Mayenda and Isidor could hardly have made a better start to life in the top-flight.
“We are lucky because we have strong players in this position,” said Le Bris. “It is not easy, but we now have three strikers who are able to play at that level.
“They are young, really talented and with different qualities. We will probably have different options during the season – at different times, one will start, one will finish and maybe one will stay on the bench. But then the next game, it could be a different set-up.
“At the minute, I am really happy with the set-up. This competition is really helpful to be able to push the players. They are not really in competition because they are team-mates, but at the same time, they need this player just behind to say, ‘I am here’.”
Understandably, Le Bris was keen to remain level-headed despite Saturday’s success. West Ham were dreadful, and even at this stage of the season, Graham Potter’s side look destined for the same relegation battle that most pundits expect Sunderland to be a part of.
For now, survival remains the Black Cats’ overriding ambition. But as a jubilant Stadium of Light crowd sang about being “top of the league” for a brief period on Saturday afternoon, it was hard not to allow hopes to soar. Only one game. But it’s hard to imagine how it could have been a better one.
