Massive boost for key Leeds United rivals in Premier League survival bid with ex-Whites man's help

Leeds United’s struggling rivals West Ham United have given themselves a massive boost in their quest for Premier League survival, inspired by an ex-Whites man’s impact.

Despite last weekend’s 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham began the day third-bottom, five points behind fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest and eight points adrift of fifth-bottom Leeds.

The Hammers, though, were presented with a chance to make ground by virtue of playing first in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off at home to Sunderland and took full advantage in recording a 3-1 success.

Sunderland began brightly but West Ham gradually settled and a thumping header from ex-Whites ace Crysencio Summerville fired the Irons into a 14th-minute lead.

The Hammers played the ball out wide to Jarrod Bowen who sent in a teasing cross and Summerville arrived at pace with a big jump and powerful header to beat Black Cats keeper Robin Roefs.

Sunderland attempted to respond but Summerville was again involved as the Hammers were awarded a penalty with 26 minutes on the clock.

The former Leeds winger fed the ball on the edge of the box to Oliver Scarles who weaved his way into the area and a clumsy challenge from Trai Hume brought Scarles to the deck.

Irons captain Bowen stepped to take the spot kick and placed a precise effort into the bottom right corner, despite Roefs diving the right way.

Sunderland were enduring an afternoon to forget and things got even better for the Hammers just before the break as a Matheus Fernandes strike from the edge of the box flew into the top left corner, again after bright play from Summerville down the left.

The Irons took a 3-0 lead into the interval, during which Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris made a triple change as Hume, the booked Reinildo Mandava and Romaine Mundle were hooked for Dennis Cirkin, Habib Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi.

Sunderland eventually pulled a goal back in the 66th minute as a cross from Nordi Mukiele picked out Brian Brobbey to head home.

The Black Cats pressed for a second but Wilson Isidor wasted a good chance when blazing a volley over.

A few moments later, a wayward Luke O’Nien cross needed tipping on to the bar by keeper Alphonse Areola whose side held firm for a huge 3-1 success.