West Ham United 1-0 Sunderland: Antonio Punishes Van Aanholt Mistake

A first half Antonio goal was enough for West Ham to see off the Black Cats as more individual errors have cost Sunderland more points.

The game got off to a fairly even start with neither side dominating or creating any chances. The game was finally brought to life on 19 minutes when Lanzini cut inside and fed Noble who struck the ball towards the top corner forcing Mannone to tip it onto the bar.

Two minutes later West Ham supporter’s hearts where in their mouths when Khazri chased down Adrian and blocked his clearance only to see the ball drift past the post. Soon after that Khazri saw his looping free kick clip the top of the bar.

West Ham broke the deadlock on 29 minutes after Van Aanholt failed to clear the ball from a harmless situation allowing Antonio to cut inside and curl the ball into the far corner.

Sunderland could’ve been level straight after the break after Cattermole played the ball over the top for Defoe but the forward struck his shot wide.

The Black Cats looked a lot better in the early parts of the second half and they spurned another good chance on 55 minutes. Neat play between Khazri and Van Aanholt created the chance for the Dutchman but his shot flew over.

Sunderland were undoubtedly the better team in the second half and they should’ve equalised on 74 minutes. Kirchhoff played in Yedlin who cut the ball in for Rodwell who should have bust the net but he was denied by the feet of Adrian.

Moments later West Ham nearly doubled their lead after Byram headed across goal to Carroll who hammered his shot off the bar.

The game was very open now and Sunderland missed another golden chance to equalise on 78 minutes when the ball fell to Rodwell 6 yards out but he blazed his shot over.

West Ham United: Adrian, Byram, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Noble (c) (Obiang 82’), Kouyate, Antonio, Payet, Lanzini (Moses 65’), Emineke (Carroll 59’).

Subs: Randolph, Henry, Oxford, Song, Obiang, Moses, Carroll.

Goals: Antonio (29’)

Sunderland (4-3-3): Mannone, Yedlin, Van Aanholt, O’Shea (c), Kone, Kirchhoff, Cattermole (Rodwell 66’), M’Vila, Khazri, N’Doye, Defoe.

Subs: Pickford, Jones, Kaboul, Rodwell, Larsson, Toivonen, Borini.

Goals: None