Daryl Dike scored a brilliant late header as West Brom sealed a fourth win in a row.
Carlos Corberan’s side are improving after a terrible start to the season under Steve Bruce and conjured an amazing comeback from behind. They showed character to dominate the second half after Amad Diallo gave the Mackems a lead before the break.
First Tom Rogic ruined Sunderland’s chance of a win with a sublime left footed finish. But it was Dike’s first goal for the Baggies which did the real damage, and it was a cracker.
The USA centre forward rose to head home a cross from eight yards in the 83rd minute. Winger Jed Wallace was the architect with a superb cross from wide on the right touchline.
Sunderland rediscovered their habit of fading in the second half, and missed the chance to climb to the edge of the play off race. The Baggies look set to climb well clear of the drop zone on this form and they are now out of the bottom three.
It started brightly for Tony Mowbray’s men.
Amad continued his scoring spree by winning and netting a 19th minute penalty. The Manchester United on loan winger burst into the box and was bundled over by Conor Townsend, and ref James Linington pointed to the spot.
Amad, who cost Manchester United £22m rising to £37 from Atalanta, demanded to take the kick and slotted it home. It was his fifth goal in the last seven games, and Sunderland are hoping he doesn’t get recalled by Erik Ten Hag.
Amad is probably better off playing regularly at the top of the Championship than being a makeweight replacing Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford. The penalty was the first goal West Brom has conceded in six hours of play during their three game winning streak.
Sunderland are in the top four goal scorers in the second tier this season despite missing Ross Stewart, the Scotland international. His return to action from a thigh injury was delayed by a setback.
Corberan’s side had a threat, mainly from Wallace and after the break they turned the screw.
Matt Phillips had a touch saved by keeper Anthony Pattterson after Joe Swift’s cross. Rogic netted in the 70th minute to shake Sunderland. It was a fine move, Wallace’s cross fell to sub Dike who used his strength to lay off to ex Celtic man Rogic on the edge of the box. Rogic culled through a crowd of bodies with the outside of his left foot, a special goal from the Aussie.
Amad had a penalty shout turned down with nine minutes to go. And then Dike rammed home the winner.
