India, Aug. 17 -- Sunderland announced their Premier League return in emphatic style with a 3-0 win over West Ham, sending the Stadium of Light into raptures. After years of frustration in the lower leagues, the Black Cats looked sharp, organized, and clinical against a toothless Hammers side.

The breakthrough came on 61 minutes when Eliezer Mayenda met a superb Omar Alderete cross with a thunderous header to give Sunderland the lead, reported The Guardian. Dan Ballard, later named Player of the Match, doubled the advantage 12 minutes later with yet another commanding header before substitute Wilson Isidor wrapped things up in injury time.

For Ballard, the occasion was extra special. According to Sky Sports, he delivered a near-flawless...