West Brom went third in the Premier League after recording four successive top-flight wins for the first time since 1980 with victory at Sunderland.

Zoltan Gera curled them ahead and it was 2-0 by half-time as Simon Mignolet fumbled and Shane Long tapped in.

Craig Gardner's free-kick gave the hosts hope before Romelu Lukaku scored West Brom's third from the spot.

West Brom dominated Sunderland - Clarke

Stephane Sessegnon converted a rebound late on in a tense finale but Marc-Antoine Fortune sealed it on the break.

For all the revelation over West Brom this term, their away form had not been a strong point, with only two wins in 11 league matches on their travels prior to this fixture, but Steve Clarke's side have now proved they are capable of grinding out results.

Sunderland have won only once at home this season but had taken renewed confidence from a win at Fulham, their three goals at Craven Cottage equalling their tally in four league matches at the Stadium of Light.

In overcast conditions on Wearside they had the better of the early exchanges, Sessegnon the main attacking outlet.

The Benin international showed sublime touch to create a shooting opportunity and his effort from the edge of the box was kept out, albeit somewhat awkwardly, by Boaz Myhill diving to his right.

Sessegnon tested Myhill again with a close-range header before Gera opened the scoring for the visitors, collecting a pass from Peter Odemwingie and sending a left-foot shot towards the corner that Mignolet got a hand to but could only help into the net.

Penalty decision was turning point - O'Neill

Mignolet's afternoon then got worse when he spilled a seemingly innocuous over-hit through ball from Chris Brunt and Long, following in when others might have given up the chase, dispossessed the keeper for the softest of goals.

Sunderland sent on James McClean at the break and made a purposeful start to the second half, but were also vulnerable to the counter-attack, an alert Mignolet needing to advance from his line and clear the danger when Long broke through.

Louis Saha was introduced as Sunderland gambled for a way back into the match and fellow substitute Gardner's free-kick deflected into the corner off Marc-Antoine Fortune in the wall to halve the visitors' lead.

However, Baggies substitute Lukaku appeared to have made the points safe, calmly sending a left-footed penalty into the bottom corner after Liam Ridgewell fell under a lunging slide from Adam Johnson, although replays suggested little contact had been made.

Fast starters

West Brom remain the only side not to concede a goal in the opening 30 minutes in the Premier League this season.

A Sessegnon tap-in after Steven Fletcher's header was parried by Myhill produced a late flicker of hope among home supporters but Fortune settled the contest in added time as the Baggies gave a further demonstration of their attacking prowess this season.

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill:

"The second goal makes it a tough task but we fought back terrifically and I thought we were going to force the equaliser first time round at 2-2 and of course the penalty decision goes against us.

"I was very pleased with the second-half performance, delighted with it.

"They're probably as good a counter-attacking side outside the top sides and are up there on merit."

Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (6)

Sunderland

  • 22 Mignolet
  • 02 Bardsley
  • 16 O'Shea Booked (McClean - 46' )
  • 24 Cuellar
  • 03 Rose
  • 06 Cattermole (Gardner - 35' Booked )
  • 07 Larsson
  • 14 Colback (Saha - 73' )
  • 21 Johnson
  • 28 Sessegnon
  • 26 Fletcher

Substitutes

  • 20 Westwood
  • 12 Kilgallon
  • 08 Gardner
  • 15 Vaughan
  • 23 McClean
  • 09 Campbell
  • 25 Saha

West Bromwich Albion

  • 13 Myhill
  • 03 Olsson
  • 06 Ridgewell Booked
  • 23 McAuley
  • 28 Jones
  • 05 Yacob
  • 07 Morrison Booked (Tamas - 90' )
  • 11 Brunt
  • 22 Gera
  • 09 Long Booked (Lukaku - 69' )
  • 24 Odemwingie (Fortune - 69' )

Substitutes

  • 19 Daniels
  • 04 Popov
  • 30 Tamas
  • 17 Dorrans
  • 08 Rosenberg
  • 20 Lukaku
  • 32 Fortune
Ref: Dean
Att: 36,390

Match Stats

Shots

19 11

On target

12 6

Corners

7 2

Fouls

12 15

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:15 Full time

Full Time The referee brings the game to a close.

90:00 +4:12

Assist by Romelu Lukaku.

90:00 +4:12 Goal scored

Goal - Marc-Antoine Fortune - Sunderland 2 - 4 West Brom Marc-Antoine Fortune scores a goal from deep inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Sunderland 2-4 West Brom.

90:00 +3:49

Stephane Sessegnon delivers the ball, Gareth McAuley makes a clearance.

90:00 +2:45

The official flags Adam Johnson offside. Boaz Myhill takes the free kick.

90:00 +2:22

Romelu Lukaku has an effort at goal from deep inside the box hitting the post.

90:00 +1:34

The ball is crossed by Adam Johnson, Gareth McAuley manages to make a clearance. The ball is swung over by Stephane Sessegnon, Carlos Cuellar takes a shot. Save by Boaz Myhill.

90:00 +0:29 Substitution

Substitution James Morrison goes off and Gabriel Tamas comes on.

89:10

Direct free kick taken by Sebastian Larsson.

89:10 Booking

Booking Liam Ridgewell receives a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

89:04

Liam Ridgewell challenges Stephane Sessegnon unfairly and gives away a free kick.

88:22

Shot by Claudio Yacob from outside the box goes over the net.

86:37

Assist on the goal came from Steven Fletcher.

86:37 Goal scored

Goal - Stephane Sessegnon - Sunderland 2 - 3 West Brom Stephane Sessegnon gets on the score sheet with a goal from close in to the top right corner of the goal. Sunderland 2-3 West Brom.

86:10

The ball is delivered by Sebastian Larsson, Shot by Adam Johnson. Billy Jones gets a block in. Outswinging corner taken by Adam Johnson from the left by-line, Steven Fletcher takes a shot. Boaz Myhill makes a save.

85:55

Adam Johnson sends in a cross, Gareth McAuley manages to make a clearance.

85:08

The ball is sent over by Romelu Lukaku.

83:59

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James McClean by Marc-Antoine Fortune. Free kick taken by James McClean.

82:06

Adam Johnson delivers the ball, clearance made by James Morrison.

80:28

The assist for the goal came from Liam Ridgewell.

80:28 Goal scored

Goal - Romelu Lukaku - Sunderland 1 - 3 West Brom Romelu Lukaku scores a placed penalty. Sunderland 1-3 West Brom.

79:36

Penalty awarded for a foul by Adam Johnson on Liam Ridgewell.

78:23

Chris Brunt produces a cross, Simon Mignolet makes a save.

77:19

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Zoltan Gera, Carlos Cuellar makes a clearance.

76:48

Chris Brunt delivers the ball, Sebastian Larsson manages to make a clearance.

74:54

Effort from 25 yards by Stephane Sessegnon. Billy Jones gets a block in. Sebastian Larsson takes a inswinging corner to the near post.

72:57

The assist for the goal came from Stephane Sessegnon.

72:57 Goal scored

Goal - Craig Gardner - Sunderland 1 - 2 West Brom Craig Gardner finds the net with a goal direct from the free kick from outside the penalty area to the top right corner of the goal. Sunderland 1-2 West Brom.

71:55 Substitution

Substitution Jack Colback goes off and Louis Saha comes on.

71:55

Foul by Billy Jones on Stephane Sessegnon, free kick awarded.

70:23

Steven Fletcher concedes a free kick for a foul on Marc-Antoine Fortune. Direct free kick taken by Boaz Myhill.

68:42 Substitution

Substitution Romelu Lukaku joins the action as a substitute, replacing Shane Long.

68:42 Substitution

Substitution Marc-Antoine Fortune replaces Peter Odemwingie.

68:42

Peter Odemwingie has an effort at goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.

68:09

The ball is crossed by Stephane Sessegnon, Liam Ridgewell manages to make a clearance. Sebastian Larsson crosses the ball, clearance by James Morrison.

66:59

Peter Odemwingie takes a shot from 30 yards. Danny Rose gets a block in.

65:55

James McClean crosses the ball, Claudio Yacob manages to make a clearance.

65:14

Foul by Shane Long on Carlos Cuellar, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Jack Colback.

63:03

James McClean has an effort at goal. Jonas Olsson gets a block in. Corner taken left-footed by Adam Johnson from the right by-line, James McClean has a header from close range and clears the crossbar.

62:23

Chris Brunt gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Phil Bardsley. Simon Mignolet takes the direct free kick.

61:56

Centre by Sebastian Larsson, clearance by Gareth McAuley.

61:14

Peter Odemwingie delivers the ball.

60:24

Chris Brunt has an effort at goal from the edge of the box that misses to the right of the target.

59:14

A cross is delivered by James McClean, Gareth McAuley manages to make a clearance.

57:21

Sebastian Larsson crosses the ball, Jonas Olsson makes a clearance.

55:52

The ball is delivered by Adam Johnson, James Morrison makes a clearance.

54:54

Sebastian Larsson delivers the ball, Headed effort on goal by Steven Fletcher from just inside the box goes harmlessly over the goal.

52:21

Indirect free kick taken by Boaz Myhill.

52:21 Booking

Booking Craig Gardner goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour.

51:55

Adam Johnson takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Boaz Myhill makes a save. Free kick awarded for a foul by Craig Gardner on Gareth McAuley.

48:40

Corner taken by Adam Johnson, Jonas Olsson manages to make a clearance.

48:06

Shane Long takes a shot from 18 yards. Save by Simon Mignolet.

46:55

The ball is swung over by Craig Gardner, clearance by Liam Ridgewell.

45:56

Free kick awarded for a foul by Zoltan Gera on Danny Rose. Direct free kick taken by Jack Colback.

45:01

The second half begins.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution James McClean replaces John O'Shea.

45:00 +3:30 Half time

Half Time The whistle is blown to end the first half.

45:00 +2:51

Steven Fletcher takes a shot. Blocked by Gareth McAuley. Steven Fletcher produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the target.

45:00 +2:12

Adam Johnson delivers the ball, clearance by Gareth McAuley.

45:00 +0:44

The offside flag is raised against Sebastian Larsson. Free kick taken by Boaz Myhill.

45:00 +0:12

Sebastian Larsson crosses the ball, clearance by Jonas Olsson. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Sebastian Larsson played to the near post, Billy Jones makes a clearance.

44:16

Free kick awarded for a foul by James Morrison on Stephane Sessegnon. Craig Gardner fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick, Boaz Myhill makes a save.

43:03

The assist for the goal came from Chris Brunt.

43:03 Goal scored

Goal - Shane Long - Sunderland 0 - 2 West Brom Goal scored by Shane Long from close in low into the middle of the goal. Sunderland 0-2 West Brom.

42:28

Shot by Stephane Sessegnon. Save by Boaz Myhill.

38:48

Direct free kick taken by Simon Mignolet.

38:48 Booking

Booking The referee shows James Morrison a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

38:43

Danny Rose fouled by James Morrison, the ref awards a free kick.

38:03

Shane Long fouled by John O'Shea, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed by Chris Brunt, Craig Gardner makes a clearance.

37:22

Unfair challenge on Jonas Olsson by Stephane Sessegnon results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Boaz Myhill.

36:45

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Carlos Cuellar by Shane Long. Direct free kick taken by John O'Shea.

36:30

The ball is swung over by Phil Bardsley, clearance by Claudio Yacob.

34:40

Claudio Yacob gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Steven Fletcher. Sebastian Larsson delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left channel.

34:06

Free kick taken by Carlos Cuellar.

34:06 Substitution

Substitution Craig Gardner is brought on as a substitute for Lee Cattermole.

34:06

Zoltan Gera gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jack Colback.

31:48

Lee Cattermole sends in a cross, clearance made by Jonas Olsson. John O'Shea has an effort at goal from the edge of the box that misses to the right of the target.

31:36

The ball is swung over by Sebastian Larsson, clearance made by Gareth McAuley.

30:44

Stephane Sessegnon fouled by Liam Ridgewell, the ref awards a free kick. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Sebastian Larsson, clearance by Shane Long.

29:38

The assist for the goal came from Peter Odemwingie.

29:38 Goal scored

Goal - Zoltan Gera - Sunderland 0 - 1 West Brom Zoltan Gera gets on the score sheet with a goal from outside the box to the top right corner of the goal. Sunderland 0-1 West Brom.

27:17

The ball is crossed by Stephane Sessegnon, James Morrison manages to make a clearance. Foul by Lee Cattermole on Peter Odemwingie, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Gareth McAuley.

26:52

Centre by Chris Brunt, save made by Simon Mignolet.

26:27

Foul by Lee Cattermole on Zoltan Gera, free kick awarded. James Morrison takes the direct free kick.

25:05

Adam Johnson takes a short corner. Adam Johnson fouled by Zoltan Gera, the ref awards a free kick. Adam Johnson delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from right wing.

23:49

Steven Fletcher fouled by Liam Ridgewell, the ref awards a free kick. The ball is delivered by Sebastian Larsson, Stephane Sessegnon takes a shot. Save by Boaz Myhill.

23:20

The referee blows for offside. Simon Mignolet takes the indirect free kick.

19:53

Simon Mignolet takes the free kick.

19:53 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Shane Long for unsporting behaviour.

18:15

A cross is delivered by Sebastian Larsson, Gareth McAuley makes a clearance.

17:40

Lee Cattermole takes a shot from 20 yards. Clearance made by Gareth McAuley.

17:05

Shot by Stephane Sessegnon. Save by Boaz Myhill. Sebastian Larsson takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, Jonas Olsson manages to make a clearance.

14:24

Peter Odemwingie fouled by Adam Johnson, the ref awards a free kick. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Chris Brunt, Carlos Cuellar manages to make a clearance. Corner taken left-footed by Chris Brunt, Close range headed effort by Claudio Yacob misses to the right of the goal.

13:19

Lee Cattermole gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Claudio Yacob. Free kick taken by Boaz Myhill.

13:03

Sebastian Larsson sends in a cross, Claudio Yacob makes a clearance.

12:38

The ball is sent over by Phil Bardsley.

12:29

Danny Rose produces a cross.

9:20

A cross is delivered by Chris Brunt.

8:29

Free kick crossed right-footed by Zoltan Gera from left channel, clearance made by John O'Shea.

8:29 Booking

Booking The referee cautions John O'Shea for unsporting behaviour.

8:22

Shane Long fouled by John O'Shea, the ref awards a free kick.

7:44

Effort from 25 yards by Peter Odemwingie. Save made by Simon Mignolet.

4:30

Carlos Cuellar concedes a free kick for a foul on Zoltan Gera. Free kick crossed left-footed by Zoltan Gera, save by Simon Mignolet.

4:04

Shot from 20 yards by Adam Johnson. Save by Boaz Myhill.

2:25

The ball is crossed by Phil Bardsley, Boaz Myhill makes a comfortable save.

1:06

James Morrison fouled by Stephane Sessegnon, the ref awards a free kick. Boaz Myhill takes the direct free kick.

0:36

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Phil Bardsley by Chris Brunt. Direct free kick taken by Simon Mignolet.

0:00

The game begins.

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