Sunderland dropped to the bottom of the Premier League when they lost 2-0 to West Brom at the Hawthorns following Swansea's win at Liverpool. Darren Fletcher put West Brom ahead with a volley on the half-hour mark and six minutes later Chris Brunt lashed home from 20 yards to double the home side's lead. Sunderland, who started the game in 20th place after Swansea leapfrogged them with a 3-2 victory at Anfield, struggled to create clear opportunities against a solid and confident West Brom side. Their fourth defeat in five league games leaves them on 15 points, three points from safety.
Tony Pulis' men stay in eighth after their third league victory in four games. The Baggies dominated the first-half and deserved their lead when captain Fletcher struck with a goal of high technical merit. Sunderland failed to clear a corner and the ball was nodded on by Gareth McAuley to Fletcher, who controlled it on his chest before volleying past Vito Mannone on the turn. Brunt's volley soon after might even have been better, and gave the home side a cushion they never looked like relinquishing.
The impressive Matt Phillips escaped down the right and his cross was palmed into the path of Nacer Chadli by Mannone, and although the Belgium winger hit the crossbar from close range, the rebound landed at the feet of Brunt, who arrowed home with a pure strike. The Baggies' new £10m signing Jake Livermore made his debut, coming on for the last 20 minutes. Sunderland managed just two shots in the first-half, only one of which was on target, a weak attempt by their top scorer Jermain Defoe in the 41st minute. Defoe, 34, has scored 12 of their 20 Premier League goals this season, but the former England striker struggled to make an impact.
He managed just two touches in the West Brom box in the first-half, while as a team Sunderland only had seven touches in Foster's area. Things did improve after the break with sevens shots and two on target - but with six of them from outside the box, West Brom rarely looked in much danger. Sunderland's best opportunities to fight back came from set pieces and corners but too often the delivery was poor, with Sebastian Larsson and Patrick van Aanholt particularly culpable. Victor Anichebe gave his side a boost when he came off the bench for the last half hour as he returned from injury, but it looked as if Sunderland would be wise to strengthen their attack in the January window if they are to have a chance of survival.
