West Brom 0 Sunderland 1: Black Cats win at Albion again after goalkeeper howler
Albion were beaten at home by promotion-hunting Sunderland after a howler from goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith let in Trai Hume's first-half winner.
The Baggies' shot-stopper failed to keep out a routine free-kick from the visiting right-back, with a flailed attempt to keep the ball out barely making contact as it nestled into the corner.
Tony Mowbray's men, now four winless and out of the top six before rivals play later on Saturday, had more and clearer chances than their higher-ranked visitors but could not find a way through once again.
The returning Darnell Furlong had huge chances in either half including one off the line and Jayson Molumby headed a glorious opening wide before the interval before a trio of chances arrived in the last 15 minutes but the Baggies were left empty-handed in a damaging defeat to a rival in a big three-game week in the play-off chase.
It is the latest mistake from Wildsmith, the post-January window deputy for Alex Palmer after the latter's sale, after the goalkeeper made a high-profile rick at Burnley in the draw last month. There have been other unconvincing moments but Mowbray has stood firm in his support of the former deputy, with Josh Griffiths waiting in reserve.
Shot-shy Albion pushed and were on top for large spells with an improved display from Norwich, but the poor error will be the lasting memory as a blunt forward line again misfired. It was yet another example of no cutting edge with three shots on target from 21 efforts. Sunderland's rate was three on target from seven.
It is another blank meaning just 48 league goals in 40 games - hugely short of what Mowbray deems enough for promotion - with more frustration for the head coach tasked to solve goal woes. It was the third April on the spin Sunderland have won at The Hawthorns - Mowbray was in charge for the visitors' first, two years ago.
Albion had to make do without surprise omission Isaac Price. He was rested as an unused sub for a calf complaint at Norwich but Mowbray said the midfielder had trained perfectly in the week. The head coach started Grady Diangana, with Karlan Grant in support of Adam Armstrong.
There was a vibrant feel around a sunny Hawthorns ahead of kick-off as a decent open contest broke out in front of a crackling atmosphere. The hosts fed off the noise as the brighter side.
Mowbray's side were inches from the opener just inside the quarter of an hour. Good combination down the left between Mikey Johnston and Grant was a feature and the latter's cross was punched aimlessly by goalkeeper Anthony Patterson. It dropped for the returning Darnell Furlong, whose volley in a crowded box was just cleared off the line by Chris Mepham.
Albion were the better side for 20 minutes until Sunderland found a foothold. Romaine Mundle had shot poorly off target previously but this effort from the left winger flew narrowly wide of the far post with Wildsmith at full stretch.
Sunderland found more than a foothold and were in the ascendency despite losing Mundle to injury.
An even contest tilted the Black Cats' way 10 minutes before the interval - via a horrible Albion error.
Diangana gave away a silly foul a few yards outside the right corner of the home box. Sunderland right-back Hume's effort was fairly tame and not especially high towards Wildsmith's top corner, but the goalkeeper made a hash of his attempt with a very poor mistake.
The former Sheffield Wednesday man somehow failed to get sufficient contact on the shot, which beat him to the corner. It followed the error at Burnley as the latest from Alex Palmer's January deputy.
Mowbray's men responded well, to their credit. A penalty appeal went against Furlong before Johnston's strike deflected off target and Diangana struck narrowly over from range.
But Albion's big attacking moment before the interval. Alex Mowatt's cross from the right found midfield colleague Molumby, only for the Irishman to steer a free header well wide. It was gilt-edged.
Mowbray's men managed to continue some decent momentum from before the interval into the second half but approaches to the Sunderland box - of which there were many - ended with a lack of conviction or confidence in the finishing shot.
Sunderland showed there was still a sting in their tale as goalscorer Hume sent another effort from range narrowly wide of the far post.
But either side of the hour it was the hosts on the front foot and consistently approaching the Sunderland box. Countless deliveries and strikes from range were blocked or off target with guilty parties everywhere.
Mowbray rolled the dice on the hour with Tom Fellows and Daryl Dike introduced. The latter was busy down the right but his deliveries did not find their targets.
Frustration at a lack of clear chances was palpable until one arrived with 15 minutes left and it was gilt-edged once again.
Grant's low delivery from the left was on the money for Furlong, in space eight yards out, but the right-back's shot was tamely blocked.
It did, however, spark a late siege on the visitors' goal, with the introduced Tammer Bany heavily involved. Bartley's decent back post header drew a parried save from keeper Patterson, who was finally called on.
The busy Bany then won the ball well for his side, set Fellows away and his cross from the right was a peach, but Dike could only head over from six yards.
As Albion committed away striker Wilson Isidor almost put the contest beyond doubt but for Wildsmith's low save - it was the save he didn't make which proved costly, though.
Albion (4-4-2): Wildsmith; Furlong, Bartley (c), Heggem (Diakite, 79), Styles; Diangana (Fellows, 62), Molumby, Mowatt (Dike, 62), Johnston (Bany, 70); Grant, Armstrong (Lankshear, 79).
Subs not used: Griffiths, Frabotta, Swift, Cole.
Sunderland (4-3-3): Patterson; Browne (Le Fee, 71), Mepham, O'Nien, Hume; Neil (c), Rigg, Bellingham; Roberts (Hjelde, 71), Isidor (Aleksic, 90+1), Mundle (Mayenda, 33).
Subs not used: Moore, Watson, Anderson, Lavery, Jones.
Referee: Tom Nield
