A day for supporters to revel in – and one for players to feel they belong on big stage

AFTER a wow moment against Coventry City back in May came another stunning Stadium of Light occasion to savour.

- By CLIVE YOULTON

There surely isn't a Sunderland fan in existence who would have predicted the club would win their first game in the top flight 3-0 and oh so briefly top the division, albeit alphabetically above Tottenham.

The word remarkable fits the bill perfectly when describing the occasion but where to start?

This was a day to remember for every Mackem as the team brushed aside West Ham United.

That's what splashing the cash to the tune of £135m can do as seven new signings took to the starting XI.

But let's delve into the remarkables.

It was remarkable that three players from last season's squad should score the goals - Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard and Wilson Isidor.

It was remarkable that Sunderland should actually score three times at home given it's the first time in a year, the last time being against Sheffield Wednesday in a 4-0 success on August 18, 2024.