Goals: None

Bookings: Lescott (5, foul); Alvarez (11, foul); Dawson (29, foul)

Referee: Michael Jones (Chester) – not the best of afternoons for the man in the middle and that proved costly to Sunderland. 4

Attendance: 40,943

Entertainment: 2/5

SUNDERLAND (4-4-2):

5 Pantilimon: Hardly had anything to do as Sunderland spent the majority of the game in control;

4 Vergini: Looked uncomfortable on the right and not convincing in an attacking sense

6 Brown: A couple of shaky moments but overall he was a calming influence at the back

7 O’Shea: The pick of the defenders and a quick turn near the touchline was one of the game’s highlights

5 Reveillere: Didn’t get down the line and contribute as much as he should against the negative Baggies;

5 Johnson: Had the ball in the net but needed to have tried a few more things to unlock the visitors’ defence

7 CATTERMOLE: Back in the team and an important figure in giving Sunderland an extra edge

6 Larsson: Had one shot saved by Foster and went close early on with a free-kick

4 Alvarez: Looked uncomfortable at times and rarely tried to beat his marker;

5 Defoe: Showed a few nice touches to display his class but never had the supply to impress

5 Graham: Could have got Lescott sent off early on but other than that failed to test the defence enough.

Subs:

Fletcher (for Alvarez 68): Unable to make his mark. 4

Wickham (for Graham 68): Denied by Foster late on. 5

Van Aanholt (for Vergini 85)

(not used): Mannone (gk), Bridcutt, Gomez, Coates.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION (4-4-2): Foster 7; Dawson 4, McAuley 6, Lescott 5, Brunt 7; Morrison 5 (Baird 73), Fletcher 6, Yacob 6, Gardner 5 (McManaman 85); Berahino 3, Ideye 4. Subs (not used): Myhill (gk), Wisdom, Olsson, Mulumbu, Sessegnon.

MAN OF THE MATCH: LEE Cattermole – back in the team and it will be hoped on Wearside he stays in there for the rest of the season.