Sunderland scored two fantastic headed goals to beat West Ham 3-0 and make a winning Premier League return.
After the dire performances of last year's promoted teams, all eyes were on the Black Cats to see how they would adapt going up a level. They had few problems as Eliezer Mayenda put them on their way, meeting a fine Omar Alderete cross on 61 minutes, before Dan Ballard doubled the lead 12 minutes later.
Wilson Isidor sprang from the bench to wrap up the points in injury time as West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen was beaten far too easily.
Led by new skipper Granit Xhaka, Sunderland looked organised and dangerous in transition, with Habib Diarra causing West Ham lots of problem with his direct play.
Sunderland have made 11 signings so far this window and seven of those new arrivals were handed their first starts, with Trai Hume, Ballard and Mayenda the sole survivors from the starting XI who beat Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final.
It was the worst possible start to the season for Graham Potter and his toothless Hammers side, who had 64 per cent of possession but failed to create anything of note, recording just 0.63 worth of expected goals from their 11 shots.
Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs was rarely tested but did make a great stop to tip Callum Wilson's deflected header from a free-kick over the bar in the 88th minute.
Watching on for Soccer Saturday, Clinton Morrison said: "West Ham are in trouble this season. They need new signings. They're struggling."
Ballard: The perfect start
Sunderland defender Dan Ballard speaking to Sky Sports:
"It was the perfect start. A clean sheet and a goal on my Premier League debut. It's amazing for this club to be back in this league. What a performance.
"We had this game in our minds for the last six weeks and we executed the gameplan really well. We've had lots of new signings and it's created competition but there is quality in this team - that's the reason why we got promoted.
"I felt confident and thought I'd get a goal today. It was a fantastic ball in. We had done lots of work in the last few days to try and unlock them from a set piece and that was the case. I didn't think the Coventry game would get topped but this was very close. The place was rocking."
Potter: We didn't do the basics of football
West Ham boss Graham Potter:
"It was very disappointing. The second half wasn't good enough in terms of the basics, like defending our box. We need to improve.
"The first half was good, we quietened the crowd, controlled the game and were unfortunate not to score. The first goal was always going to be important.
"It was the basics. I'm not being disrespectful but it wasn't through great play and it was just a long cross into the box which we need to deal with better. The second goal is a second-phase set piece which we gave away cheaply.
"The basics of football we need to improve. It's the first day and these things happen sometimes."
Analysis: Ballard is Sunderland's Concorde, commanding the skies
Sky Sports' Lewis Jones:
Sunderland are the great unknows of this Premier League season.
How would they cope with the step up?
Have they changed too much too soon from the Championship promotion-winning team? Would all the new signings fit in?
Early signs are they could be just fine this season and it was one of the 'old guard' that impressed most.
Dan Ballard, hero of the play-off semi-final win over Coventry, rose to the occasion once again. He was a colossus. A rock. He was consistently in the right place at the right time to fend off West Ham's attacks. No player on the pitch won more duels (10) or made more clearances (8).
He was like Concorde - commanding the skies with his dominant aerial ability, showcased by his fantastic headed goal, one of four shots he had in the game. Big things could be on the horizon for Ballard and Sunderland this season.
Potter's stock at its lowest
Sky Sports' Lewis Jones:
We all know what Potter's teams can do in the Premier League - his Brighton team were exceptional and tactically ahead of their time. His stock was at its highest there. It's now at its lowest with questions to seriously answer about whether his football can thrive at West Ham.
There's a bit of an identity crisis at the club.
Potter wants to make them more possession-orientated and tactically flexible but the success West Ham had under David Moyes was all about defensive organisation and creating big moments in transition.
Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta - West Ham's two most potent attacking players - are at their best with space to roam into. They look cramped and restricted playing in this current style.
It's testament to Bowen's ability that he continues to be their star man. He didn't deserve to be on the losing side.
Potter needs to find a solution. And fast.
