Sunderland fans will love what Graham Potter said about The Stadium of Light
Graham Potter has spoken of his admiration for The Stadium of Light following the Premier League’s opening day.
Sunderland crushed West Ham 3-0 on 16 August, with goals from Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard, and Wilson Isidor completing a nightmare start for the Hammers.
It was a dream return to the top flight for the Black Cats, with Sunderland also favourites for their clash against Burnley on Saturday, 23 August.
Regis Le Bris could hand a debut to Nordi Mukiele at Turf Moor and has been boosted by a return to fitness for Jenson Seelt, after the defender was forced off against West Ham.
Graham Potter labels Sunderland atmosphere ‘one of the best‘
Sunderland got off to a great start against West Ham, and could have been ahead early on, had it not been for a brilliant Mads Hermansen save.
But in the 61st minute, the West Ham debutant could do nothing to keep out Mayenda’s header as it looped into the bottom left corner and gave The Stadium of Light its first Premier League goal since 2017.
Once Sunderland had the first, it did not take them long to get the second – Ballard finding the same corner with his header from Simon Adingra’s cross.
| Sunderland’s next five in the Premier League | Date |
| Burnley (A) | 23 August |
| Brentford (H) | 30 August |
| Crystal Palace (A) | 13 September |
| Aston Villa (H) | 21 September |
| Nottingham Forest (A) | 27 September |
Isidor’s goal came late in the game with West Ham chasing, the Frenchman curling in and past Hermansen from just inside the box.
It was a dominant display all over the pitch from Sunderland, and West Ham boss Potter was happy to admit as much.
But the former Chelsea manager chose to highlight the atmosphere at The Stadium of Light, and said on 21 August: “A home atmosphere can make a big difference, and I have to say that the atmosphere at Sunderland was one of the best I’ve experienced in the Premier League.”
Home form can carry Sunderland to safety
Sunderland will travel to several stadiums this season in which they are under the constraints of an intimidating atmosphere, as well as a difficult opponent.
But at The Stadium of Light, they can have control over at least one of those components.
Home must become a bear pit, where even the best teams dread travelling to. The performance over West Ham was a great start, and it must become the standard.
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