Sunderland turn the Stadium of Light into a storm for West Ham
Sunderland wrap their city by the sea in big pictures and loud promises for the Stadium of Light.
The £80m makeover is meant for regeneration; however, it spills onto the pitch.
Sunderland started with seven debut signings and only three survivors from May’s playoff final triumph.
They looked quick, agile and extremely nimble from the off.
Michail Antonio looked off the pace.
The home roar rose as the visitors stumbled under pressure.
Sunderland pressed hard from the start of the second half.
West Ham were pressed hard and their high line looked exposed without a barge backed centre-back behind it.
If it involved your rivals, Millwall and Spurs, we have to jab and we did.
This time the message from the stands is simple West Ham soul lives on the terraces not in the boardroom.
Suddenly Sunderland crunched into West Ham with a hard press and a harsher tackle.
- West Ham were undone by Sunderland’s pace and high press.
- Michail Antonio showed signs of strain while West Ham clung to their identity.
- Sunderland’s new signings gave a fresh edge to a city rebuilding around the Stadium of Light.
Michail Antonio
West Ham United