Sunderland 4-0 West Brom

By Jemma Tappenden
January 10 2009

Luke Moore made his first Premiership start for Albion, replacing the injured Ishmael Miller who will miss the rest of the season. James Morrison recovered in time to start after picking up an injury during Albion's previous game with Portsmouth. Despite a bright start from Mowbray's men, it was Sunderland who threatened first with a hance in the 4th minute.

On loan Cisse made a clever right wing cross to set up Jones, whose first time volley was well caught by Carson between the sticks.

Albion's first goal chance fell in the 16th minute when Chris Brunt unleashed a 30 yard effort.  Despite the awkward bounce Black Cats keeper Marton Fulop was able to make the save.

Albion were dominating possession in the opening 20 minutes, but despite this the fell behind in the 22nd minute.  Andy Reid was given space to play in a delightful cross which Jones reached before Zuiverloon to head home from ten yards.

Sunderland doubled their lead a minute later during something of a goal mouth scramble.  Malbranque played the ball through to Cisse who made short work of shrugging of Olsson to slide a shot in.  Carson made the save but the rebound fell back to Cisse, who this time squared across the 6 yard box for Reid, who produced another wonderful save from Carson.  But this time the rebound fell to Jones who stabbed the ball home for his second goal in just a minute.

Albion did everything to regroup, but could not muster anything of any substance, the best coming from Zuiverloon 9 minutes before the break with a 25 yard effort which was well scooped by Fulop.

In the 37th minute Cisse sent a delightful ball over the top of Olsson, but under intense pressure from Zuiverloon could not get any power on his 15 yard effort.

Just before the break however Sunderland grabbed a third, as Jones sent Malbranque down the right hand side.  The cross found Reid, who did well to beat Zuiverloon to head home just inside the right hand post.

Half Time: Sunderland 3-0 West Bromwich Albion

At the interval Mowbray made two changes to revert his side to a 4-4-2 formation.  Bednar and Kim coming on the replace Morrison and Brunt respectively.  But it proved ineffective as just 54 seconds into the second half Albion gave away a penalty after Bednar was adjudged to have handled in the area.  Carson was then booked for his protests before Cisse converted to make it 4-0.

A scrappy clearance from a Bednar effort allowed Valero a chance, which was blocked on the line.  In the 60th minute the Baggies had a golden opportunity to pull a goal back, but Bednar headed just over from Greening's cross.  Six minutes later Albions claims for a penalty were waved away after Luke Moore was obstructed by Nosworthy in the box.

Jones could have completed his hatrick in the 68th minute, after walking through the Albion defence unchallenged.  Luckily Carson was oncall to makea super save to prevent the goal defecit from increasing to five.

In the final stages of the game Mowbray introduced Craig Beattie, who returned from loan at Crystal Palace midweek after the injury to Miller.  His first action was a shot on goal, but he fired high and wide from the edge of the area.

Full Time: Sunderland 4-0 West Bromwich Albion

Jones (22 + 23)

Reid (40)

Cisse (47)

Attendance: 36,280