Sunderland post perfect three-word message as win seals dream return to the Premier League

Sunderland were quick to boast about marking their Premier League return with a remarkable 3-0 win against West Ham.

Goals from Eliezer Mayenda, Daniel Ballard and Wilson Isidor delivered their first English top flight victory since 2017.

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The Black Cats finally sealed promotion back to the Premier League in May with their Championship play-off final win over Sheffield United.

And on Saturday afternoon they were sitting at the top of English football, with a message posted on social media expressing their excitement with the comeback triumph.

Taking to X, Sunderland simply said: “Yeah, we’re back.”

Regis Le Bris’ side scored all of their goals during a dominant second half performance at the Stadium of Light, which erupted following all three strikes.

West Ham had summer signings Mads Hermansen and El Hadji Malick Diouf in the starting XI, with the latter impressing in pre-season.

But Graham Potter, who finished 14th with the Hammers last season, will be left with plenty more work to do

Whilst the east London outfit had the majority of possession, only four of their 12 shots were on target.

Chelsea are next up on August 22, live on talkSPORT, before more tough fixtures against Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.

Sunderland, meanwhile, were flying, with new captain Granit Xhaka particularly impressing as the former Arsenal man dictated the pace of the game in midfield.

Long awaited Premier League return

Back-to-back relegations from the Premier League meant Sunderland were dealt a difficult route back to the top, starting in League One.

@SunderlandAFC X

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They spent four consecutive seasons in the third tier before finally achieving promotion with a play-off final win in 2022.

Championship play-off semi-final heartbreak the following year was followed by a 16th-place finish in 2024.

But they made the most of their next chance for promotion with the 2-1 comeback win at Wembley against Sheffield United.

Their opening run in the 2025/26 season offers hope of avoiding relegation back to the second tier.

Sunderland next travel to Burnley, who achieved automatic promotion along with Leeds United, and after a Carabao Cup second round tie against Huddersfield Town, the Black Cats then face Brentford at home.

Then, after the first September international break, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa will be next on the fixture schedule.

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