West Ham Beat Sunderland 3-1 As Nuno Espirito Santo Keeps Focus Ahead Of Chelsea

West Ham strengthened hopes of Premier League survival with a 3-1 home victory over Sunderland, securing a third straight win in all competitions and moving within two points of Nottingham Forest in 17th, while Nuno Espirito Santo immediately shifted focus towards a demanding trip to Chelsea on the next Premier League weekend.

The match swung West Ham’s way before half-time, as Crysencio Summerville, Jarrod Bowen and Mateus Fernandes all struck in a dominant opening period at London Stadium, though Sunderland threatened a late fightback after Brian Brobbey’s header, with both sides later hitting the woodwork during an open second half.

Summerville broke the deadlock with a powerful header, before Bowen doubled the advantage from the penalty spot

in the 28th minute, and Fernandes then produced a 30-yard strike to cap a ruthless first half, while Sunderland responded after the interval when Brobbey scored with a 66th-minute header to create late tension.

West Ham then saw Fernandes hit the frame of the goal, while Sunderland substitutes Luke O'Nien and Wilson Isidor both went close at the other end, yet Nuno’s side protected the two-goal cushion to claim three important points, leaving Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest needing a result against Brentford to reopen the gap above the relegation places.

Bowen played a major role in the first goal, delivering the cross for Summerville’s header, and the England international then converted from the spot, meaning Bowen has now scored and assisted in 11 different Premier League matches for West Ham, overtaking Paolo Di Canio’s club mark of 10 such games.

Across Premier League history, Bowen now holds the outright record for West Ham goal involvements with 103 contributions, comprising 63 goals and 40 assists, moving ahead of Michail Antonio, who sits on 101 involvements from 68 goals and 33 assists, underlining Bowen’s long-term influence in West Ham’s attack.

102 - Jarrod Bowen now has the outright most goal involvements for West Ham in Premier League history (62 goals, 40 assists), moving one clear of Michail Antonio. Iron. #WHUSUN pic.twitter.com/TCRcXVfbknOptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 24, 2026

West Ham Sunderland reaction from Nuno Espirito Santo and Bowen

Nuno remained careful not to exaggerate the importance of a single result, stating: "You know that football is [in] the present. What we did today was great," Nuno said. "Let's have a good weekend and prepare for the next one. It's going to be very tough [at Chelsea], but we're going to put up a fight. "

Confidence inside the West Ham dressing room continues to grow, and Bowen explained the message shared before kick-off: "My message to the players before the gamewas to be a side that enjoys winning, to go back-to-back and to build that consistency, because top teams never let off," he said. "Top teams turn up in every single game and win in different ways, so we've got to keep trying to do that. We've done it over the last few weeks, and the main thing is were winning games. So, long may that continue and for sure we'll be looking to win at Chelsea. "

West Ham Sunderland defensive issues and statistical context

Despite the positive scoreline, West Ham’s defensive record remained a concern, as the team has now conceded in 20 successive Premier League fixtures for the second time, after a 24-game run without a clean sheet that ended in November 2008, with only Southampton and Wolves, on three occasions each, recording more 20-plus game sequences without shutting opponents out.

West Ham Sunderland perspective for Sunderland and Le Bris

Sunderland missed a chance to climb into the top five, with recent Premier League form slipping again, as the Black Cats are now winless in seven straight away league matches, with three draws and four defeats, their longest such run since October 2016, and they have lost consecutive away games while conceding at least three goals for the first time since December 2016.

Head coach Le Bris reflected on the defeat and ongoing difficulties by saying: "It's tough to say, because there are probably multiple reasons," Le Bris said when asked why his side could not click into gear on Saturday. "At least it shows that when you are not at the level that the league will punish you. [We need to show] Humility, hard work, accept the tough period. We haven't experienced this much, but we are still a newly promoted side. It is normal to have this kind of experience. Don't get too emotional, stay composed, not too high and not too low and move forward. "

The result leaves West Ham buoyant before visiting Chelsea and keeps pressure on Nottingham Forest above the relegation line, while Sunderland, still adjusting as a newly promoted side, must address defensive issues away from home and rediscover consistency after another missed chance to strengthen their position near the Premier League’s upper places.