The Premier League witnessed a day of emphatic victories as Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland both secured 3-0 wins against their respective opponents. Tottenham Hotspur, under the new management of Thomas Frank, showcased a dominant performance against Burnley, while Sunderland marked their return to the Premier League with an impressive victory over West Ham United.
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Burnley
Tottenham Hotspur began their 2025-26 Premier League season on a high note, defeating Burnley 3-0 in a match that highlighted the team's attacking prowess and the positive impact of their new manager, Thomas Frank. Richarlison emerged as the star of the match, scoring twice, while Brennan Johnson sealed the victory with a final goal.
Richarlison's first goal came in the 10th minute, converting a precise cross from Mohammed Kudus with a sharp strike. The Brazilian forward then scored an acrobatic volley in the 60th minute, again assisted by Kudus, doubling Tottenham's lead and showcasing their remarkable partnership. Brennan Johnson added the third goal in the 66th minute, finishing a through ball from Pape Matar Sarr.
Thomas Frank's influence was evident in Tottenham's dominant display, as they controlled 68% of possession and registered 16 shots. Despite missing key players due to injuries, young talents stepped up, contributing to the team's success. Burnley struggled to match Tottenham's intensity, managing only four shots on target. Injuries further hampered their efforts, leaving them unable to respond to Tottenham's attacking prowess. Notably, Burnley's goalkeeper, Martin Dubravka, conceded a corner under the new rules for holding the ball for more than eight seconds.
Sunderland vs. West Ham United
Sunderland marked their return to the Premier League in style with a 3-0 victory over West Ham United at the Stadium of Light. After an eight-year absence from the top flight, Sunderland overcame promising attacks from West Ham in the first half and showcased their Championship play-off heroes in the second half.
Eliezer Mayenda opened the scoring with a header, followed by Dan Ballard, who extended the advantage with a header into the same spot as his play-off semi-final winner. Wilson Isidor then sealed the victory with a goal in added time, securing three points in Sunderland's first Premier League appearance since May 2017. Seven of Sunderland's eleven new signings were handed their first starts.
Sunderland's manager, Regis Le Bris, praised the players, fans, and club, highlighting the importance of the team's identity and the need to adjust to the quality of the Premier League. West Ham's manager, Graham Potter, acknowledged his team's poor performance in the second half and emphasized the need to improve the basics.
