Cats Bagg points at last

Sunderland recorded their first Premiership win since September as they scrapped to a 1-0 win at The Hawthorns in what was a dismal bottom-of-the-league encounter.

A contentious Le Tallec goal was the decider in the 72nd minute, and while the goal was one that West Brom, and in particular Geordie Steve Watson, won’t want to see again, Sunderland will feel lady luck has shone on them for the first time this season.

Despite the manner in which they scored not many can claim Sunderland’s victory was not deserved. Whilst they have played a lot better this season and come away with nothing, an underwhelming performance will not be troubling McCarthy this time as he saw his side come away with maximum points for only the second time this season.

Before the goal both sides created very little in the way of chances, with the only possible opener a deflected shot from Inamoto that Davis did superbly to palm around the post.

Later in the first half Watson should have shot when he did well to control the ball in the box, only the ex-Newcastle player chose to square the ball to Ellington, who blasted over the bar.

Yet it was Sunderland who were almost rewarded for their superior possession midway through the second half as a pin point Lawrence cross was met by Arca, who could only fire wide.

If the Sunderland fans were thinking they had missed their best chance to score they were proved wrong only minutes later when Lawrence dispossesed Carter and sent a searching ball for Le Tallec to chase down the right wing. The frenchman did superbly in cutting across his man but his feeble shot seemed destined for an easy catch for Kuszczak until it was inadvertently turned in via a deflection off Steve Watson.

With the Black Cats fans in raptures most sensed that for once it may just be their day at last and despite throwing on Geoff Horsefield for one last push Albion were unable to grab a late equaliser – as they did so cruelly only months ago – as the Black Cats hung on for a precious rare win.

West Brom: Kuszczak, Albrechtsen, Curtis Davies, Watson, Robinson, Greening, Inamoto (Horsfield 69), Wallwork (Chaplow 86), Carter, Campbell, Ellington (Nicholson 79).
Subs Not Used: Kirkland, Clement.

Sunderland: Davis, Hoyte, Breen, Caldwell, Danny Collins, Lawrence (Nosworthy 90), Whitehead, Miller, Arca, Stead (Gray 86), Le Tallec (Bassila 76).
Subs Not Used: Alnwick, Murphy.