A rousing first-half performance at the London Stadium powered West Ham United to a crucial 3-1 victory over Sunderland, securing back-to-back Premier League wins and breathing new life into their fight for survival.
With goals from Crysencio Summerville, Jarrod Bowen, and a spectacular strike from Mateus Fernandes, the Hammers executed a near-perfect opening 45 minutes before managing a second-half response to climb to within two points of safety.
West Ham entered the match buoyed by a dramatic win at Tottenham the previous weekend and seized momentum early. The breakthrough came in the 14th minute when captain Jarrod Bowen, a driving force throughout, delivered a precise cross from the right.
Despite being one of the shortest players on the pitch, Crysencio Summerville rose above the Sunderland defense to power home a header for his third goal in as many matches. The lead was doubled just before the half-hour mark after young full-back Ollie Scarles was tripped in the area by Trai Hume.
Bowen calmly converted the resulting penalty, tucking the ball into the bottom corner for his first goal of 2026 and his 103rd Premier League goal involvement for West Ham, a new club record. The first-half crescendo arrived two minutes before the interval.
A cleared ball fell to Mateus Fernandes 30 yards from goal, and the Portuguese midfielder unleashed a stunning curling effort that sailed into the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Robin Roefs helpless and sending the home fans into raptures.
Sunderland, who began the day in ninth place, were uncharacteristically lackluster and sorely missed their injured captain and midfield talisman, Granit Xhaka. Manager Regis Le Bris made a triple substitution at halftime in search of a response.
The visitors improved after the break and found a consolation goal in the 66th minute when Nordi Mukiele’s cross from the right was met by a clinical header from striker Brian Brobbey, who now has five league goals this season.
The goal sparked a nervy period for the hosts, who saw Sunderland’s Luke O’Nien hit the woodwork with a cross that nearly deceived goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. The closing stages included late drama as Fernandes rattled the crossbar with another long-range attempt, and a subsequent scramble led to a disallowed goal for West Ham.
The match also featured an unusual incident off the pitch, where the injured Xhaka, watching from the bench, became involved in a heated, prolonged exchange with a West Ham supporter seated behind the dugout.
The final whistle confirmed a vital three points for West Ham, moving them onto 20 points and to within striking distance of 17th-placed Nottingham Forest. For manager Nuno Espirito Santo, it marked a third consecutive win in all competitions and perhaps the team’s most complete performance of a difficult season.
In his post-match comments, Nuno praised his team’s composure and accurate finishing, while Sunderland’s Le Bris conceded his side was “not at the level” required and was duly punished. As the survival battle intensifies, West Ham’s renewed momentum offers a glimmer of hope, while Sunderland’s mid-table progress hits a bump, extending their away winless run to seven games.