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(Credit: Getty, Imago)
Edward Bazeley
Mon 18 August 2025 11:36, UK
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer was left stunned by Dan Ballard’s performance for Sunderland against West Ham.
The defender got himself on the scoresheet as Sunderland thrashed West Ham 3-0 in their Premier League opener on Saturday, 16 August.
Regis Le Bris’ summer signings made a good account of themselves against Graham Potter’s men, with Chemsdine Talbi notching the assist for Wilson Isidor’s late goal.
However, it was three of last season’s promotion-clinching stars, Ballard, Eliezer Mayenda, and Isidor, who scored against the London Stadium club.
Ballard impressed Shearer (Credit Imago)
As well as scoring Sunderland’s second goal against West Ham via a header, Ballard denied Malick Diouf from establishing the lead for Potter’s side by making a goal-line clearance.
Speaking about the 25-year-old’s exploits at the Stadium of Light on The Rest Is Football [18 August], Alan Shearer said: “That was fantastic, that was the game-changer, you know, because if that goes in, it’s very, very different.
“So for him to be there, to save that one off the line and then get a brilliant header as well.”
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After Sunderland successfully beat West Ham, their next Premier League test sees them face fellow top-flight new boys Burnley on Saturday, 23 August.
Football Insider verdict
The Stadium of Light faithful will be pleased that Sunderland are in a strong PSR position despite their heavy spending in the summer transfer window.
OpponentDateBurnley (A)23/08Huddersfield (H, Carabao Cup)26/08Brentford (H)30/08Sunderland face a vital clash with Burnley
Meanwhile, Le Bris’ men showed that they are up for the task of Premier League survival by comprehensively beating established top-flight club West Ham.
However, the Mackems cannot get ahead of themselves and are acutely aware that each of the last six teams to win promotion from the Championship suffered an immediate return to the second tier.
Consequently, next weekend’s clash with Burnley, who also earned promotion last term, already feels like a major showdown for Le Bris’ side.
The Lancashire club were beaten 3-0 by Tottenham on Saturday and will need to bounce back with a win over the Black Cats to establish some much-needed momentum and put vital points on the board.
On the contrary, Sunderland could put themselves in a strong position by claiming two wins from as many games next weekend.
Meanwhile, football finance expert Dan Plumley has weighed in on Le Bris’ move for Omar Alderete in a Mackem News exclusive.
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