But Israel international Yossi Benayoun took advantage of a slip by Steve Caldwell to snatch an equaliser for the high-flying Hammers in the 72nd minute and though both teams went all out for a winner, a share of the spoils was a fair result.
The Hammers had five players booked to the last minute caution of Steven Caldwell following a scuffle with Nigel Reo-Coker, but for the paying television audience it was never a brutal contest.
Sunderland had to overcome the loss of the in-form Julio Arca, man-of-the-match in the first win of the season at Middlesbrough last Sunday, the former Argentina Under-21 captain failing to recover from a toe injury picked up in training on the eve of the match.
Hammers manager Alan Pardew was able to field the same side that has made such a promising start to the campaign but it was Andy Welsh, deputising for Arca, who made an instant impact.
A slip by Tomas Repka let in Welsh, who scampered down the left and deliver a perfect cross only for Andy Gray to head weakly into the arms of goalkeeper Roy Carroll from a few yards out after just five minutes.
The Hammers responded with goalkeeper Kelvin Davis making a brilliant one-handed save from Marlon Harewood, Caldwell preventing Benayoun from forcing home the loose ball.
The Black Cats had strong appeals for a penalty turned down when Stephen Elliott challenged Danny Gabbidon in the air from Gray's centre, referee Atkinson ruling out claims for handball.
The lively Welsh took on Repka and it took the slightest of touches from Gabbidon to take the ball off the head of Elliott in front of goal, but Sunderland were dealt another blow when Christian Bassila was forced to limp off in the 35th minute with a hamstring injury.
Substitute Liam Lawrence, however, forced the home side's first corner as Sunderland continued to force the pace. Gabbidon was booked in the 44th minute for a cynical trip on Dean Whitehead and though the free-kick was blocked, the breakthrough came in time added on.
Justin Hoyte linked up with Welsh and after one shot had been blocked, Miller reacted first to lash the ball high into the net.
Paul Konchesky lashed a 30-yard drive past the post, but Sunderland quickly resumed normal service. Elliott's surging run ended with a delicate chip shot that was plucked from under the bar by Carroll.
Konchesky was booked for a crude challenge on Lawrence before West Ham squandered a great chance to draw level in the 54th minute. A delightful pass from Benayoun released Teddy Sherringham, but inexplicably the veteran striker failed to even hit the target from just a few yards out
Sunderland stormed back with Carroll saving with outstretched legs from Elliott and skipper Gary Breen heading over from Lawrence's inswinging corner.
The Hammers brought on Bobby Zamora for Sherringham in the 62nd minute and six minutes later Pardew's last throw of the dice was to throw on Christian Dailly and Shaun Newton for Matthew Etherington and Repka respectively.
And the move provided almost instant dividends with an equaliser against the run of play in 72 minutes. Caldwell slipped in attempting to cut out a harmless through ball, Benayoun raced clear and slipped the ball under the diving Davis.
Man of the Match: Andy Welsh - Bought for £15,000 last season when languishing in Stockport County's reserves, the stand-in for the injured Julio Arca tormented the Hammers defence throughout and had a hand in the Black Cats' goal.