Barclays Premier League

FULL-TIME REPORT

After an edgy, tight start, it always looked like this game would be decided by the odd goal - perhaps a moment of brilliance or a mistake. That turned out to be the case, but West Brom and Sunderland ended up playing out a very entertaining match. Steven Fletcher struck the foot of the post for the visitors in the first half but it was West Brom who took the lead, and deservedly so. Having had a goal ruled out minutes earlier, Romelu Lukaku tucked a penalty kick into the back of the net after Craig Gardner's handball on 35 minutes. Sunderland improved in the second half but shot themselves in the foot in equally disastrous and hilarious style. Titus Bramble should have kicked the ball off the park, but instead tried a delicate back pass to his goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. It ended up short of the Belgian keeper; and while he managed to just about reach the ball, his clearance cannoned off the outstanding Lukaku and into the Sunderland goal. Stephane Sessegnon made West Brom sweat and both James McClean and David Vaughan could have secured an unlikely and undeserved point for the visitors, but the Baggies held on to move into seventh place in the Premier League.

FULL-TIME WHISTLE

That's the full-time whistle. It's finished West Bromwich Albion 2 Sunderland 1.

MCCLEAN HOWLER

That's the chance and they have blown it! Jack Colback lobs a cross into the West Brom penalty area and Titus Bramble knocks it back across goal. James McClean is there unmarked and should finish but he puts it over the bar. What a miss.

GREEDY SESSEGNON

Sunderland launch a counter attack with Stephane Sessegnon who glides past three West Brom defenders before getting in a good position to cross the ball. However he chooses to keep possession of the ball instead and it edges over the goal line, letting the Baggies off the hook. The assembled Sunderland players in the penalty box are livid.

VAUGHAN CLOSE

Nearly an equaliser for Sunderland! David Vaughan drives at goal from 20 yards out and the ball takes a slight deflection but Ben Foster manages to cling onto it despite the close attentions of Danny Graham. There's a thrilling finish is on the cards here - three additional minutes will be played.

ODEMWINGIE CLOSE

Peter Odemwingie almost wins the home supporters over immediately, running at Jack Colback before shooting at goal from 12 yards out. He has Simon Mignolet beaten but the ball edges just wide of the post.

ODEMWINGIE ON

That's the end of Romelu Lukaku's match - and what a performance it has been. On in his place comes Peter Odemwingie for the first time since the farce of transfer deadline day. Needless to say, he is greeted by a less than welcoming Hawthorns crowd.

MIGNOLET STOPS

West Brom nearly secure the win! Titus Bramble's lax header only goes as far as Chris Brunt on the edge of the Sunderland penalty area and the Northern Irish winger lashes at goal. Simon Mignolet makes an outstanding save though, launching himself to his left and tipping away.

FORTUNE ON

West Bromwich Albion are going to make a change, with James Morrison coming off for Marc-Antoine Fortune. That's likely to mean the Baggies revert to the 4-4-2 system which caused Sunderland so many problems in the first half.

SESSEGNON SCORES

Maybe this one isn't over yet! Stephane Sessegnon's inswinging effort finds the back of the net after good work from James McClean down the right flank. There's ten minutes left for Sunderland to find an unlikely equaliser.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

It's in! Stephane Sessegnon pulls a goal back for Sunderland!

SUBS ON AND SESSEGNON CHANCE

Martin O'Neill is making a double substitution for Sunderland in an attempt to get back in this match, as Adam Johnson and Sebastian Larsson make way for David Vaughan and James McClean. They nearly pull a goal back straight away as Ben Foster saves brilliantly from Stephane Sessegnon.

BRAMBLE MISTAKE

That is some mistake from Titus Bramble. Romelu Lukaku sprints past the despairing tackle of John O'Shea but puts too much power on his touch, which means Bramble should clear. Instead, he attempts to go back to his goalkeeper. Unfortunately for him, he doesn't put enough on his back pass, and Lukaku races in with the goalkeeper. Mignolet gets there but the ball ricochets against Lukaku and into the back of the net.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

It's in! Romelu Lukaku doubles West Brom's lead!

LUKAKU AGAIN

West Brom have another good chance - and it's Romelu Lukaku again. He has Craig Gardner on his backside after some nifty footwork, before lashing at goal. The power on the shot means Simon Mignolet can only push the ball wide.

MULUMBU AND MORRISON CHANCES

West Brom midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu wins the ball in midfield and is allowed to advance towards the Sunderland penalty area. He exchanges passes with James Morrison before powering an effort at goal but it's straight down Simon Mignolet's throat. Moments after, Titus Bramble slides in to deny Morrison a simple finish from six yards out. The Baggies are pushing for a second.

BAGGIES CHANGE

West Bromwich Albion are going to make their first substitution of the match, withdrawing Shane Long to bring on Graham Dorrans. That should see the home side revert to their usual 4-2-3-1 system.

LUKAKU UNSTOPPABLE

And there goes Romelu Lukaku again! He escapes Craig Gardner before bulldozing his way past John O'Shea and lashing at the Sunderland goal, but he pulls his shot somewhat and doesn't threaten Simon Mignolet in the visitors' goal.

MIGNOLET SAVES

Chris Brunt steals the ball off Sebastian Larsson in the middle of the pitch, before sliding in Romelu Luakku for West Brom. Lukaku strikes it at goal with his left foot from 15 yards out, but Simon Mignolet stands strong to tip the ball away.

LUCKY BRAMBLE

Sunderland's Titus Bramble is a very lucky man. Already on a yellow card, the defender goes straight through the back of Shane Long, putting the Irishman in plenty of distress on the floor. Roger East chooses to only give Bramble a final warning.

OLSSON HEADER

Referee Roger East awards West Brom a free-kick after John O'Shea bundles over Shane Long. Chris Brunt swings a cross into the danger area and finds Jonas Olsson, but he puts too much on his header which goes high over the bar.

GRAHAM CLOSE

It's another great chance for Sunderland! Alfred N'Diaye cuts inside off the left flank and floats an inviting cross into the West Brom penalty area. Danny Graham slides and almost gets his toe to the ball but it just evades him and bounces out for a goal kick to the home side.

BRAMBLE BLOCK

West Brom go back upfield with Shane Long, who sidles his way into the area before driving at goal from a tough angle. Luckily for Sunderland, Titus Bramble manages to deflect the ball into the side netting.

OFF THE LINE

Sunderland win a corner kick which Sebastian Larsson takes. He finds Danny Graham's head and the new signing heads the ball on for Stephane Sessegnon. The Benin international doesn't get the cleanest of contacts on the ball but still hits the target and Liam Ridgewell has to clear it off the line. Great chance.

LUKAKU DANGER

Romelu Lukaku is a constant menace to this Sunderland defence, and his presence has the Black Cats defenders quaking in their boots as Liam Ridgewell aims a diagonal pass towards the Baggies frontman. John O'Shea and Jack Colback struggle to deal with Lukaku but Simon Mignolet sprints out of goal to clear the danger.

BACK UNDERWAY

We're underway again at The Hawthorns, with neither side having made changes to their line-ups. Can Sunderland prevent this West Brom team from winning their second Premier League match on the bounce?

HALF-TIME REPORT

This afternoon's match started extremely quietly and looked like it was going to be a particularly tight one, as both teams matched each other's 4-4-2 formation. Sunderland had the early chances from set pieces before Steven Fletcher struck the foot of the West Brom post. However, ever since Romelu Lukaku had a goal ruled out, the Baggies have been in complete control. Their dominance was rewarded when Craig Gardner handled inside his own area, conceding a penalty which Lukaku tucked away. Steve Clarke's side have had opportunities to increase their lead, with Shane Long spurning two headed opportunities, but the Black Cats were totally overwhelmed in the final half an hour of the period. Martin O'Neill needs to find a way to disrupt the Baggies' slick passing style, because another goal for the hosts could prove fatal for his under-par team.

HALF-TIME WHISTLE

And that's half-time at The Hawthorns. The score at the interval is West Bromwich Albion 1 Sunderland 0.

JOHNSON CHANCE

Sunderland's Adam Johnson almost levels the scores just before half-time, turning Steven Reid inside out before striking at goal. The ball seems to strike Gareth McAuley's hand but Roger East waves play on this time.

WEST BROM PRESSURE

What a run by Romelu Lukaku! He manages to bundle his way between Jack Colback and John O'Shea before running at Titus Bramble. Just when it looks like Lukaku could be about to end his 40-yard run with a shot, Alfred N'Diaye saves the day with a tackle. Just after, Shane Long heads over the bar after slightly misjudging a James Morrison cross.

BAGGIES SWAGGER

West Brom have enjoyed a massive 72% of possession in this first half - and the majority of Sunderland's time on the ball came in the opening ten minutes. The Baggies haven't been troubled at all by the visitors, apart from that one Steven Fletcher chance. They've played with comfort and swagger.

BRAMBLE CYNICAL

That's cynical from Titus Bramble. Shane Long nods the ball on to himself down the right flank and outpaces the Sunderland centre back, who clips the feet of the Irish international, giving West Brom a chance to put another cross into the visitors' area. Chris Brunt delivers but Simon Mignolet catches the ball easily.

LONG MISS

And that's nearly 2-0. West Brom win a free-kick in the Sunderland half and Chris Brunt takes it, picking out Shane Long inside the penalty area. Long heads at goal but gets it all wrong, putting the ball a long way wide off the side of his head. He should definitely have done better.

LUKAKU SCORES

Romelu Lukaku should probably already have a goal to his name today but he definitely has one now. He sends Simon Mignolet the wrong way, by passing the ball into the bottom right-hand corner of his goal. West Brom deservedly lead at The Hawthorns.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

It's in! Romelu Lukaku scores it!

PENALTY WEST BROM

It's a penalty to West Brom! Craig Gardner handles Liam Ridgewell's cross and Roger East doesn't hesitate to point to the spot. Sunderland aren't happy but Gardner's arms were raised.

DISALLOWED BAGGIES GOAL

West Brom have taken the initiative in this match now - and there's drama. James Morrison gets clipped on the edge of the Sunderland area by Sebastian Larsson but manages to pass the ball to Romelu Lukaku whose shot finds the back of the net. However Roger East had already blown his whistle for the free-kick. Controversial to say the least.

MULUMBU SITTER

This game has suddenly come to life. First, West Brom's Chris Blunt flashes a pass across the Sunderland six-yard area before Youssouf Mulumbu fluffs a header from six yards out, with the ball glancing off his head and out for a goal kick. Big chances.

TAKE YOUR CHANCES

West Brom have an excellent defensive record at home, conceding just 12 goals at The Hawthorns this season - a record which can only be bettered by Manchester City. Sunderland haven't given the hosts too many problems so far but they must take chances like the one which fell to Steven Fletcher if they are going to head back to the north east with all three points this afternoon.

OFF THE POST

What a chance for Sunderland! Claudio Yacob's mistake presents the ball to Steven Fletcher on the edge of the West Brom penalty box. Fletcher places his shot towards the bottom right corner of the goal but the ball strikes the post before being cleared.

LUKAKU HEADER

The first half-chance of the game for West Brom falls to Romelu Lukaku. Chris Brunt crosses the ball into the Sunderland penalty area and Lukaku rises high above John O'Shea but can't get the power or accuracy on his header, which bounces wide of the Black Cats' goal.

MIDFIELD BATTLE

It's a physical battle between the two groups of midfield players at the minute but that ends when Steven Reid puts in a particularly hard tackle on Sunderland's Alfred N'Diaye. Roger East awards a free-kick to the visitors but Reid escapes further punishment.

LITTLE GOALMOUTH ACTION

There has been very little goalmouth action in the opening quarter of an hour and these two teams look evenly matched, both in ability and in shape. There's not likely to be many goals from open play today.

SET PIECE TROUBLE

The West Brom defence struggles to deal with another Sunderland corner kick just after the previous close shave but Ben Foster just about manages to punch clear. It looks like the visitors will be a big threat from set pieces today. Gareth McAuley collided with Foster and goes down with a head injury but is soon back to his feet.

O'SHEA CLOSE SHAVE

That was mighty close for Sunderland. The first corner of the match nearly ends up in the back of the Baggies goal via John O'Shea's head but Ben Foster manages to prevent it from doing so. O'Shea insists the ball went over the line and remonstrates with the assistant referee but no goal is given.

O'SHEA SWEEPS UP

West Brom left-back Liam Ridgewell picks out the powerhouse of Romelu Lukaku with a diagonal pass. Lukaku heads the ball down inside the box but John O'Shea can tidy up before Shane Long gets on to it.

SYSTEM CHANGES

West Brom have started this game on the front foot and have a series of throw-ins deep in Sunderland territory. Both of these sides have started the match with a 4-4-2 formation - a slight variation on their usual setups.

WE'RE UNDERWAY

Referee Roger East blows his whistle and gets this Premier League fixture underway, Can West Brom edge closer to the European qualification places or will Sunderland leave The Hawthorns with all three points?

ODEMWINGIE RETURNS, GRAHAM STARTS

West Brom decide to recall Peter Odemwingie but the deadline day rebel only makes the bench as Romelu Lukaku and Shane Long start up front. Sunderland hand a first start to Danny Graham while James McClean is fit enough to make the Black Cats bench.

SUNDERLAND STARTING XI

Simon Mignolet, Craig Gardner, John O'Shea, Titus Bramble, Jack Colback, Adam Johnson, Sebastian Larsson, Alfred N'Diaye, Stephane Sessegnon, Danny Graham, Steven Fletcher. Bench: Keiren Westwood, Phil Bardsley, Matthew Kilgallon, Kader Mangane, Carlos Cuellar, James McClean, David Vaughan.

WEST BROM STARTING XI

Ben Foster, Steven Reid, Gareth McAuley, Jonas Olsson, Liam Ridgewell, James Morrison, Claudio Yacob, Youssouf Mulumbu, Chris Brunt, Romelu Lukaku, Shane Long. Bench: Boaz Myhill, Billy Jones, Gabriel Tamas, Graham Dorrans, Marc-Antoine Fortune, Markus Rosenberg, Peter Odemwingie.

REF WATCH

Referee Roger East takes charge of this afternoon's Premier League fixture. The Wiltshire-based official has officiated in four Premier League matches this season, giving six yellow cards but three red ones - the highest ratio of dismissals to matches for a referee in the division. East has refereed both of these teams already in this campaign, overseeing a defeat for West Brom at Fulham and a draw for Sunderland against Swansea.

LAST TIME OUT

The Black Cats endured a torrid day the last time they visited The Hawthorns, and were on the end of a 4-0 thumping. Peter Odemwingie, the transfer deadline day rebel who could return to action today, scored two of West Brom's goals, with James Morrison and Keith Andrews also finding the net. In the reverse fixture between these teams this season, the Baggies put four past Sunderland again - this time on their own turf. West Brom won the game 4-2. Zoltan Gera and Shane Long gave Steve Clarke's side a 2-0 half-time lead. Craig Gardner and Stephane Sessegnon found the net in the second half for Martin O'Neills men but Romelu Lukaku and Marc-Antoine Fortune rounded off the victory.

SUNDERLAND TEAM NEWS

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill could hand a first start to January signing Danny Graham, who may start alongside Steven Fletcher. Winger James McClean will miss out with an ankle injury though, meaning Graham could take the Irish midfielder's place in the starting XI. Danny Rose and Lee Cattermole are unlikely to be fit in time for the match as they nurse respective hamstring and knee knocks.

WEST BROM TEAM NEWS

West Brom are set to recall transfer deadline day villain Peter Odemwingie to the substitutes bench. The Nigerian was unsuccessful in his attempts to force through a move to Queens Park Rangers last month but could return to action for the Baggies today. Romelu Lukaku should start up front for Steve Clarke's men though. Defender Goran Popov is still serving a three-match ban while Zoltan Gera and George Thorne remain long-term absentees.

MATCH PREVIEW

With West Bromwich Albion within touching distance of European qualification and Sunderland still under threat of being sucked into a relegation battle, both sides will be keen not to take their foot off the gas in their upcoming Premier League matches. Neither of these sides have enjoyed particularly good form of late. Sunderland have won just two of their last nine matches in all competitions while the Baggies' win at Liverpool a fortnight ago was their first in this calendar year, ending a dreadful run of form which didn't see them win in eight matches. Both teams seem likely to finish in mid-table but a win for either today would be beneficial if they want to increase their chances of a strong Premier League finish.