Sunderland 0-0 West Bromwich Albion: Better Performance But Still No Win

Sunderland were denied a vital win at the Stadium of Light by a wrongly ruled out goal and a stubborn West Brom defence, as the Black Cats were completely dominant.

Sunderland started confidently and were nearly rewarded with the opening goal on 6 minutes. A Seb Larsson free kick narrowly missed the target after Danny Graham was hauled down by Lescott on the edge of the box. The Baggies defender was lucky to escape a straight red card as he was the last man in defence.

Sunderland continued to dominate possession but neither goalkeepers were tested in the early stages. The Black Cats had an opportunity on 31 minutes after a nice reverse pass by Reveillere set up Defoe but his low drive flashed across goal as Sunderland continued to probe the West Brom defence

Sunderland thought they had broken the deadlock on the stroke of half time through Adam Johnson but it was wrongly ruled out for offside. Johnson received the ball over the top from Alvarez which he controlled and slotted past Foster but the celebrations were halted by the incorrect offside decision.

Sunderland continued their dominance in the second half and should have taken the lead on 62 minutes. A Seb Larsson corner was met by Santi Vergini but his free header whistled past the post with Ben Foster left stranded.

Another chance went begging for Sunderland on 75 minutes after a great run by Reveillere. The Frenchman went past two players before sending the ball low across goal which no Sunderland player could latch onto. From the resulting corner Wickham’s goal bound header was saved well at the near post.

A completely dominant display by Sunderland but they couldn’t break down a resolute West Brom defence and when they did the goal was wrongly ruled out for offside.

Sunderland (4-4-2): Pantilimon, Reveillere, Vergini (Van Aanholt 87’), O'Shea (c), Brown, Cattermole, Larsson, Johnson, Alvarez (Fletcher 68’), Graham (Wickham 68’), Defoe.

Subs: Mannone, Van Aanholt, Coates, Gomez, Bridcutt, Wickham, Fletcher.

Goals: None

West Bromwich Albion (4-4-2): Foster, Dawson, McAuley, Lescott, Brunt, Yacob, Morrison (Baird 73’), Fletcher, Gardner (McManaman 87’), Ideye, Berahino.

Subs: Myhill, Wisdom, Olsson, Baird, Mulumbu, Sessegnon, McManaman.

Goals: None