## Hammers Spark Survival Drive with Early Summerville Brilliance
West Ham United’s fight for Premier League survival received a significant boost as Crysencio Summerville’s exquisite early header propelled them into the lead against Sunderland. The crucial goal ignited the London Stadium, providing a vital lift in what promises to be a tense battle for top-flight security.
Having recently broken a daunting ten-game winless streak with a dramatic victory away at Tottenham, the Hammers entered this encounter eager to secure back-to-back league successes. The atmosphere in East London was thick with anticipation and a tangible sense of anxiety, especially after a somewhat hesitant start from the home side.
However, as the host nation settled into the rhythm of the game, the tension broke in the 14th minute with an eruption of joy. Skipper Jarrod Bowen, driving purposefully down the right flank, delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the heart of the penalty area. Rising majestically above the Sunderland defence, Summerville met the ball with conviction, sending a magnificent header crashing past a helpless Robin Roefs. This marked Summerville’s second consecutive goal, underscoring his growing importance to the squad.
A victory would be transformative for West Ham, placing them within a mere two points of 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, who are scheduled to face Brentford on Sunday. Furthermore, the win would represent a much-needed reversal of fortune at home, as the Hammers had not tasted victory at the London Stadium since overcoming Burnley back in early November.
## Tactical Insights: Unveiling the Lineups
Both managers made intriguing choices for this pivotal fixture, reflecting their strategic approaches to securing crucial points.
### West Ham’s Unchanged XI
The West Ham coaching staff opted for continuity, fielding an identical starting eleven to the one that triumphed 2-1 over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. This decision saw recent additions Pablo and Taty retain their places in the squad, indicating their successful integration and impact. Notably absent from the Hammers’ lineup was Lucas Paqueta, amid swirling speculation regarding a potential departure from the club this month, with reports suggesting a return to Brazil could be on the cards.
**West Ham Starting XI:** Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Mavropanos, Scarles, Soucek, Fernandes, Bowen, Summerville, Pablo, Taty
**Substitutes:** Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Kilman, Ward-Prowse, Wilson, Diouf, Magassa, Potts, Kante
### Sunderland’s Squad Adjustments
Sunderland arrived at the London Stadium facing their own challenges, most notably the absence of influential midfielder Granit Xhaka. Whispers suggest Xhaka could be sidelined for an extended period, prompting Trai Hume to step into the midfield role. On a more positive note for the Black Cats, Habib Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi were available for selection, having returned from AFCON duty, and were named among the substitutes.
**Sunderland Starting XI:** Roefs, Mukiele, Ballard, Aldrete, Reinildo, Hume, Sadiki, Le Fee, Mundle, Mayenda, Brobbey
**Substitutes:** Patterson, O’Nien, Geertruida, Cirkin, Rigg, Diarra, Adingra, Isidor, Talbi
## Catch Every Moment: Broadcast Information
For fans eager not to miss a second of the Premier League drama, here’s how to tune in:
**In the UK:** Viewers can watch the clash live on TNT Sports 1, TNT Ultimate, and Discovery+.
**In the US:** All the thrilling action is available for residents to enjoy on USA Network.
## Pre-Match Pulse: Key Statistical Battles
Delving into the numbers reveals intriguing trends and historical context for this encounter, highlighting both teams’ strengths and vulnerabilities.
### West Ham’s Fortress Mentality and Form Reversal
* **Home Comforts vs. Sunderland:** West Ham boasts an impressive record against Sunderland at home, having suffered just a single defeat in their last twelve Premier League encounters at the London Stadium (W9 D2). Their last three home victories against the Black Cats have all been narrow 1-0 affairs.
* **Promoted Prey:** The Hammers have historically fared well against newly promoted sides at home, losing only one of their last 21 Premier League matches against such opponents (W16 D4). They are currently on a 12-game unbeaten run against promoted teams since a 2-1 loss to Brentford in October 2021.
* **Momentum Shift, Defensive Woes:** West Ham’s recent 2-1 triumph over Tottenham ended a challenging ten-game winless streak. However, their defensive record remains a concern, as they have not kept a clean sheet in their last 19 Premier League fixtures. Only once in their history (24 games between March and November 2008) have they endured a longer run without a shutout.
### Sunderland’s Gritty Resilience and Away Day Quest
* **The Comeback Kings:** Sunderland has demonstrated remarkable fortitude this season, accumulating 16 points from losing positions in the Premier League. Only Aston Villa (18 points) has achieved more. This tally represents the Black Cats’ most successful season for comeback points in the competition and is the highest for a promoted side since West Bromwich Albion in 2010-11 (27 points).
* **Seeking Back-to-Back Success:** The visitors are aiming for only their second instance of consecutive Premier League victories this season, having previously achieved this feat in October against Wolves and Chelsea.
* **Away Day Struggles:** Despite their fighting spirit, Sunderland’s away form has been challenging. They are currently winless in six away league matches (D3 L3) since that significant 2-1 victory over Chelsea.