Sunderland went into today's home encounter against West Bromwich Albion with only one victory from their last seven matches at the Stadium of Light.
Unfortunately for the Black Cats, that form carried on this afternoon as the Baggies left Wearside with all three points courtesy of a 4-2 win.
Find out how the match unfolded with our minute-by-minute commentary below.
Afternoon all. Where do the weeks go hey?! It's Saturday again already and we've got a decent looking game to get us off an running.
We're still awaiting the team news from the Stadium of Light. We'll be sure to bring it to you as soon as it comes in.
While both teams will be eager to win, you cannot help but think that the victory is more important for Sunderland. As mentioned in the introduction, they have only won once from their last eight matches at home. It's hardly a fortress at the moment.
Right, the teams are in...
Sunderland: Mignolet; Bardsley, Rose, Cuellar, O'Shea; Cattermole, Colback, Larsson, Johnson, Sessegnon; Fletcher
No real surprises in that Sunderland team - they are arguably at full strength. A lot of the onus will be Steven Fletcher, who is their leading goalscorer.
West Brom: Myhill; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Yacob, Morrison; Odemwingie, Gera, Brunt; Long
The Baggies are missing a couple of key players for this match - most notably between the posts in Ben Foster. He is still struggling with a groin injury, meaning that Boaz Myhill continues to deputise.
Talking of the Baggies, they have been very good this season. In fact, they've probably been the surprise package. If the season ended right now, they'd be playing Champions League football next season!
Having said that, they haven't been too good away from home. They have won just twice from their last 11 outings. However, Clarke's men will probably fancy their chances today when you consider Sunderland's recent home record.
While Sunderland have Fletcher to score their goals, the Black Cats will have to be wary of Peter Odemwingie at the other end. The Nigerian is West Brom's joint leading goalscorer with four goals. He has also found the net a further four times against Sunderland.
Not long until we are underway at the Stadium of Light now. The ground is filling up, although there are still a number of empty seats.
The players are now heading into the tunnel and the Sunderland walk-out anthem starts up...
West Brom get us off and running...
SAVE! First sight of goal for Sunderland ends after Adam Johnson cuts inside, only to see his low shot held by Boaz Myhill in the West Brom goal.
Very little happening here at the moment. West Brom are keeping the ball well but are doing very little with it. Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill is urging his players to get about the opposition.
It's still West Brom that are seeing more of the ball. Every time Sunderland gain possession, they are being far too wasteful.
CHANCE! Claudio Yacob could and perhaps should have done better for West Brom there. He met a deep cross at the back post, but somehow sent his header well over the crossbar despite having time and space.
SAVE! We've all of a sudden got a game on our hands! Stephane Sessegnon sends a half-volley goalwards, which Myhill is able to turn around the post. The resultant corner comes to nothing.
BOOKING! A bad, bad decision from referee Mike Dean, who books Shane Long for diving. Replays show that the West Brom striker was clearly clipped by John O'Shea. The Sunderland defender is a lucky man because he is already on a yellow card.
SAVE! Sessegnon is again denied by Myhill, who pushes out the attacker's header. Luckily for the goalkeeper, Jonas Olsson was on hand to clear the rebound.
GOAL! Sunderland 0-1 West Brom (Gera)
What a strike from Zoltan Gera. Having weighed up his options, the Hungarian opted to shoot from 25 yards out and he found the top corner! It actually came against the run of play but West Brom won't care one jot. The match needed that.
SUBSTITUTION: It's an early exit for Sunderland's Cattermole, who has picked up a knee problem. He has been replaced by Craig Gardner. The home side will miss Cattermole's influence.
Just seen a shot of West Brom boss Steve Clarke and he looked rather angry! Dread to think how he would appear if his side were losing!
BOOKING! West Brom's James Morrison has his name taken following a late sliding challenge on Sessegnon.
GOAL! Sunderland 0-2 West Brom (Long)
Simon Mignolet has been one of Sunderland's best players this season but the goalkeeper has made a huge error there. Chris Brunt overhit a pass straight to Mignolet, who ended up spilling the ball to Shane Long for the easiest of tap-ins. Who'd be a goalkeeper?!
We've got at least three minutes of stoppage time here...
HALF-TIME: Sunderland 0-2 West Brom
Well, same old story as far as Sunderland are concerned. They've huffed and puffed, but there is very little quality on show. West Brom have been by no means great, but they are getting the job done - albeit with a helping hand from Mignolet!
While we wait for the second half, why not give our half-time report from the Stadium of Light a read? It can be located here.
HALF-TIME SUBSTITUTION: Sunderland will go for it in the second half as winger James McClean comes on for defender John O'Shea. They have noting to lose I suppose!
West Brom get the second half started...
SAVE! West Brom almost wrapped up the match there. Long raced through into the Sunderland area but his rising shot was blocked by the advancing Mignolet.
At present West Brom are looking relatively comfortable. Sunderland are perhaps seeing more of the ball but they are doing very little with it.
CHANCE! Long again goes close for the Baggies as he just fails to make a connection with Chris Brunt's drilled cross. Any contact there would have diverted the ball into the net.
It's all gone a bit flat now. West Brom look content with what they've got and why wouldn't they? The onus is on Sunderland to do something and create chances but at the moment it's not happening.
SUBSTITUTION: Double switch for the Baggies as Long and Odemwingie are replaced by Marc Antoine Fortune and Romelu Lukaku.
SUBSTITUTION: Final roll of the dice for Sunderland as Louis Saha comes on for Jack Colback.
Boy did Sunderland need that! Craig Gardner is the goalscorer, albeit via a deflection off Fortune, who was stood in the wall as Gardner struck his free kick. The noise levels have lifted inside the Stadium of Light. Game on!
PENALTY TO WEST BROM!
That is a stonewall penalty for West Brom as Johnson trips up Liam Ridgewell inside the area. Lukaku will take it...
GOAL! Sunderland 1-3 West Brom (Lukaku)
Confident work from Lukaku, who powers the ball into the bottom left hand corner with Mignolet well beaten. That should seal the points for the visitors.
GOAL! Sunderland 2-3 West Brom (Sessegnon)
Sunderland just won't go away! Myhill did well to push away a powerful header from Fletcher but Sessegnon was on hand to lash the rebound into the roof of the net. Looks like we are going to get an exciting finish.
Sunderland have four minutes of stoppage time to find an equaliser...
SUBSTITUTION: West Brom look to protect what they've got by bringing on Gabriel Tamas in place of James Morrison.
SAVE! Fresh from his goal last week, Sunderland defender Carlos Cuellar forces Myhill into a diving save with a looping header.
OFF THE POST! So close for West Brom! Lukaku does brilliantly to work himself the opportunity inside the area before smashing the ball against the upright. When the ball rebounds out, the danger is eventually cleared.
GOAL! Sunderland 2-4 West Brom (Fortune)
With Sunderland piling men forward there was always a chance that they would be caught out and they have been. Lukaku squared the ball for Fortune, who cut inside before curling the ball inside the far post. Game over.
FULL-TIME: Sunderland 2-4 West Brom
The final whistle is greeted by a number of jeers from the home faithful. They are not a happy bunch and you can understand why. Their side have not performed this season and they carried that into this match. Fair play to West Brom - they played some good football and fully deserve the points.
That's all we have for from the Stadium of Light. Thanks for the joining us this afternoon and be sure to check out our analysis of the match, which will be with you shortly.
Written by
Liam Apicella
Liam Apicella
