Sunderland made a successful return to Premier League action on Saturday
Jamie Carragher cited Sunderland’s aerial dominance as the key to their opening-day victory over West Ham United on Saturday afternoon.
The Black Cats won 3-0 in their astonishing return to the Premier League after an eight-year exile, with visiting manager Graham Potter criticising his side’s defending in the second half. On Monday Night Football, the former Liverpool defender discussed how Sunderland’s domination of aerial duels contributed to their comfortable win in an otherwise tight encounter.
“The left back, Reinildo, joins the last line [in the build up to the first goal] and with Diarra joining as well, you’ve got a 5v5,” according to Carragher.
“Sunderland has pinned back West Ham’s back five, preventing Aaron Wan-Bissaka from jumping.” They went man-for-man, which allowed Alderete to enter the space. Now that’s a ball into the box that a club with three central defenders should be able to deal with, but Mayenda’s header is incredible. He’s moving backwards, so generating that power is amazing. And this was the key to the game.
“On the second goal, the ball enters. Wan-Bissaka is keeping a close eye on Ballard. There is some time until the ball arrives; he takes another look at him but does not accept responsibility for going to pick him up. Don’t abandon him to Paqueta; another aerial duel is lost. People will suggest that the third goal doesn’t matter because they’re moving up. When the corner comes in, ignore what happens next; Alderete jumps and wins the header against two West Ham players. Would you believe Sunderland won nine of 10 aerial duels in both boxes? Three of them resulted in goals. Isidor’s goal is a counterattack, however it results from two West Ham players losing a challenge with one. It’s not excellent goalkeeping, but it demonstrates the necessity of height, which we also see with the players Leeds has brought in.
Gary Neville also hailed the Sunderland fans for their involvement in the victory, adding the influence on the season ahead might be ‘enormous’.
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher issue Sunderland relegation predictions
Carragher and Neville disagreed on whether Sunderland will survive this season, with the latter expecting Wolves, Leeds United, and Burnley to be relegated.
“Brentford have been consistent in this league,” Neville explained.
“I do not believe Burnley will have enough. Daniel Farke and their owner have stated that Leeds will sign players, therefore they may sign two or three, which could change my mind. Sunderland – I saw something more than simply enthusiasm; I saw physicality, a quality to them, and strength. I thought that was a good performance. Maybe this is the year of Wolves.”
Carragher feels Sunderland, Wolves, and Burnley could all be relegated, but he is concerned about West Ham United after their performance on the opening day.
“It’s easy to put the three promoted teams there,” Carragher added.
“I’m yearning for someone to stay awake. I don’t want to talk about the three [promoted] teams that are going down. I believe Leeds, thanks to Elland Road, can stay up. Am I confident Wolves will be relegated? Not really. I think the manager is exceptional. They have lost some key players, but the boss is an excellent manager.
“It wasn’t a great end to last season, and the team looks slow and old,” Carragher said of West Ham.
“The lack of legs in midfield was really noticeable [against Sunderland]. It’s going to be difficult playing against a promoted club and getting run over like that.
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