West Ham United recorded a convincing 3–1 victory over Sunderland on Saturday to make it two wins from two and move within two points of Premier League safety.
The Hammers effectively wrapped up the contest by half-time after goals from Crysencio Summerville, Jarrod Bowen and Mateus Fernandes gave them a commanding three-goal cushion.
West Ham had looked in serious trouble earlier this month after slipping seven points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, but a stoppage-time winner away at Tottenham last week lifted confidence.
That momentum carried into Saturday’s clash at the London Stadium, where the hosts produced an impressive first-half display against a subdued Sunderland side.
Summerville opened the scoring in the 14th minute, rising highest to head home Bowen’s inviting cross. Bowen then doubled the lead from the penalty spot, calmly slotting into the bottom corner after Trai Hume brought down Oliver Scarles in the box.
The hosts made it 3–0 shortly before the break when Fernandes collected a loose ball outside the area and unleashed a powerful long-range strike that left goalkeeper Robin Roefs with no chance.
Though Brian Brobbey pulled one back with a header midway through the second half, the “Black Cats” rarely threatened a full-scale comeback.
The match ended with a minor flashpoint as the injured Xhaka was reportedly involved in a verbal altercation with a Hammers fan near the visitors’ bench.
The result leaves West Ham just two points adrift of safety, while Sunderland, in their first season back in the Premier League, sit ninth in the table.
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