Winners and losers from Sunderland’s win vs West Ham include Eliezer Mayenda and Jenson Seelt
Sunderland kicked off their first Premier League campaign in eight years with a 3-0 win against West Ham.
Eliezer Mayenda opened the scoring in the second half, with Dan Ballard and Wilson Isidor putting them out of sight late on in the second half.
The Mackems showed plenty of quality and didn’t shy away from the challenge of the top-flight against the Hammers.
With Nordi Mukiele expected to join up with the team on Wearside in the coming days, Regis Le Bris will face a selection dilemma with his current squad holding their own in the Premier League.
Winners from the victory vs West Ham
Habib Diarra
Diarra has looked quality since his move from French side Strasbourg.
Some supporters had still wondered how the Senegalese international would adapt to life in the Premier League, but he showed against West Ham that he will be just fine.
The 21-year-old offered plenty of promise as he controlled the midfield and completely outfought the Hammers.
Supporters have been left amazed by his quality, and should he continue to perform like he did against West Ham, Sunderland will be well above the relegation zone come the end of the season.
Eliezer Mayenda
Despite links to a move away this summer, Eliezer Mayenda has committed his future to the Mackems.
Supporters had been worried about the Spaniard’s dip in form over preseason, as he missed some big opportunities, especially in the loss to Augsburg.
His afternoon at the Stadium of Light looked to be following the same pattern until he emphatically opened the scoring against the Hammers.
The goal will do a lot for Mayenda’s confidence and will spark hope that he will be an important outlet this season.
Losers from West Ham win
Jenson Seelt
Jenson Seelt had looked solid in preseason as the young talent held his own against tough opponents.
However, the 22-year-old picked up an unfortunate injury in the 53rd minute against the Hammers.
With the arrivals of Omar Alderete and Mukiele, the injury to Seelt is likely to be costly, as he will struggle to displace the pair once he returns to action.
Dan Neil
Despite offers from Premier League rivals and from abroad, Dan Neil elected to stay with Sunderland for the season.
The 23-year-old was crucial to the Mackems’ promotion to the top-flight last season, and had hoped to be a starter in midfield this season.
However, in the win against West Ham, the midfield trio of Diarra, Noah Sadiki, and Granit Xhaka all looked solid.
All three are unlikely to be replaced any time soon, and Neil could find it difficult to get back into the side unless an injury is picked up.
For now, the boyhood Sunderland supporter will have to do his best to perform as a substitute and show his quality in cup competitions.
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