(Credit: Imago)

Sunderland player ratings vs West Ham: Dan Ballard stars, 4/10 average

Alex is a lifelong Sunderland supporter who's been reporting on Mackem News since April 2025. Indeed, he started working for Breaking Media in April and has since graduated from St Mary's University as a NCTJ Gold Standard-accredited journalist, having completed his Master's degree in Sports Journalism. Alex previously worked for Football League World and has featured on the Roker Report, providing his opinion on all things Sunderland. While getting to the games is tricky, given his job, one of the highlights of his life was watching (and crying) as the Black Cats defeated Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium last season.

Published on:

16 Aug 2025, 11:33 am

Sunderland kicked off their Premier League campaign with a perfect 3-0 victory against West Ham at the Stadium of Light.

A brand new Sunderland tifo was unveiled at the Stadium of Light ahead of kick-off against Graham Potter's side on Saturday.

It was an even first half between the two teams, with the Black Cats defending resolutely, while Habib Diarra spurned an early chance.

However, the home outfit turned it on in the second half with headed goals from Eliezer Mayenda and Dan Ballard before Wilson Isidor bagged a third.

Ballard bagged the Wearsiders' second (Credit: Imago)

Dan Ballard continues play-off exploits for Sunderland

Ballard was one of the stars of the Championship play-offs, with his goal and defending vital to achieving promotion.

The Northern Ireland international partnered Jenson Seelt in the hub of defence, in what can only be described as a makeshift partnership.

Ballard was on hand to deny new West Ham signing El Hadji Malick Diouf, with a phenomenal sliding block in the first half.

Then, in the second 45, the 25-year-old rose the highest to head home Simon Adingra's superb cross for the Black Cats' second.

Dan Ballard's statistics vs West Ham	Total
Minutes played	90
Goals	1
Clearances	8
Blocked shots	4
Total tackles	1
Aerial duels (won)	9 (6)

Ballard was on fire for Sunderland (Sofascore)

Thanks to the centre-back, Sunderland earned a win and a clean sheet on their return to the Premier League.

Eliezer Mayenda makes statement at Stadium of Light

Mayenda was feeding off scraps in the first half and looked to be heading to an underwhelming performance.

The 20-year-old endured a difficult pre-season and failed to land a single goal, having skied a penalty against Augsburg.

However, second-half substitute Omar Alderete delivered a pinpoint cross, which was headed superbly into the bottom corner by Mayenda for the Wearsiders' first.

With Mark Guiu waiting in the Sunderland wings, he needed to bag an early-season goal, and he has done just that.

It felt like Mayenda's header was struck in slow motion towards Mads Hermansen's goal, and the Irons shotstopper scurried to no avail.

Mayenda bagged in his first Premier League game (Credit: Imago)

Sunderland player ratings v West Ham

Robin Roefs - 7

Trai Hume - 7

Dan Ballard - 9

Jenson Seelt - 7

Reinildo Mandava - 7

Habib Diarra - 7

Granit Xhaka - 7

Noah Sadiki - 4

Chemsdine Talbi - 7

Simon Adingra - 8

Eliezer Mayenda - 8

Subs

Omar Alderte - 7

Enzo Le Fee - 5

Wilson Isidor - 7

Chris Rigg - 5

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Dan Ballard

Eliezer Mayenda