IT'S THE BACK CATS!

Three of the best in winning return on the Wear

- By Rebecca Johnson

SUNDERLAND marked their return to the Premier League in style with a 3-0 win over West Ham at the Stadium of Light.

Following an eight-year absence from the top flight, the Black Cats produced a stunning second-half display.

They went ahead through Eliezer Mayenda's header and Dan Ballard soon extended the advantage, nodding home into the same spot as his last-gasp winner against Coventry in the playoff semifinals.

Substitute Wilson Isidor struck in added time to wrap up three points in Sunderland's first Premier League appearance since May 2017.

Sunderland have made 11 signings so far this window and seven of those new arrivals were handed their first starts, with Trai Hume, Ballard and Mayenda the sole survivors from the starting XI who beat Sheffield United in the Championship playoff final.