West Ham United boosted their survival hopes with a convincing 3–1 home win over Sunderland on Saturday, making it two wins from two and moving to within two points of Premier League safety.
The Hammers effectively settled the contest by half-time at the London Stadium, courtesy of goals from Crysencio Summerville, Jarrod Bowen and Mateus Fernandes.
West Ham, who only recently found themselves adrift in the relegation battle, carried momentum from last week’s dramatic late win at Tottenham into Saturday’s clash, producing an energetic first-half display that overwhelmed a subdued Sunderland side.
Summerville opened the scoring in the 14th minute, powering home a superb header from Bowen’s inviting cross. Bowen doubled the advantage soon after, calmly converting from the penalty spot after Trai Hume fouled Oliver Scarles.
The hosts made it 3–0 shortly before the interval when Fernandes collected a loose ball and unleashed a fierce long-range strike that flew past goalkeeper Robin Roefs.
Sunderland struggled to muster an attacking response in the first half and were further hampered by the absence of captain Granit Xhaka, who missed his first Premier League game of the season through injury. Given their away struggles, with just five goals scored on the road all campaign, a comeback always looked unlikely.
The visitors briefly threatened a revival midway through the second half when Brian Brobbey headed in from a Nordi Mukiele cross. However, West Ham absorbed a few nervy moments to preserve their two-goal cushion and see out the win.
The result leaves West Ham just two points behind Nottingham Forest in the relegation fight, with Forest due to face Brentford on Sunday.
Sunderland, meanwhile, sit ninth in the table in their first season back in the Premier League.
