West Ham United secured a vital victory in their quest for Premier League survival by defeating Sunderland 3-1 at the London Stadium. This win marks their second consecutive victory, following a dramatic 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur. The win also puts pressure on Nottingham Forest, who sit just above the relegation zone.
Match Overview
- Scoreline: West Ham 3, Sunderland 1
- Date: Recent match
- Location: London Stadium
Key Goals and Performances
Crysencio Summerville opened the scoring for West Ham just 14 minutes into the match, converting a header from Jarrod Bowen’s cross. Bowen also scored from the penalty spot after a foul on Oliver Scarles, doubling the lead 14 minutes later.
Mateus Fernandes capped the first-half performance with a stunning long-range goal, giving West Ham a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime. Fernandes has emerged as a key player since joining from Southampton last summer.
Sunderland’s Struggle
Sunderland had a lackluster first half, affected by the absence of their captain, Granit Xhaka, who missed the game due to an ankle injury. Despite a more spirited second-half performance, they only managed to score once through Brian Brobbey, mid-way through the second half.
Player Ratings
| Team | Player | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West Ham | Areola | 6 |
| West Ham | Bowen | 8 |
| West Ham | Fernandes | 9 |
| Sunderland | Roefs | 6 |
| Sunderland | Mukiele | 6 |
| Sunderland | Brobbey | 7 |
Manager Reactions
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo praised his team’s first-half performance and their composure throughout the match. He emphasized the importance of continuing to work hard to avoid relegation.
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris acknowledged that his team did not meet their usual standards and must improve going forward.
Conclusion
This victory puts West Ham within two points of Nottingham Forest in the Premier League standings. Their upcoming fixtures will be crucial as they continue their fight to remain in the top flight.
