Anthony Onifade

Sat 9 December 2023 14:30, UK Updated Sat 9 December 2023 14:51, UK

West Brom suffered a damaging hit to their Championship playoff chase after a second successive 2-1 defeat at the hands of Sunderland on Saturday afternoon at the Stadium of Light (9 December).

Managerless Sunderland, who sacked Tony Mowbray during the week, recorded their first win in four games to keep their own Championship play-off hopes alive after goals from Daniel Ballard and Dan Neil.

West Brom grabbed a late consolation goal from Brandon Thomas-Asante but it wasn’t enough as Carlos Corberan saw his side lose their second in a row on Wearside.

And West Brom News has rated the players out of 10 below…

Alex Palmer – 6

Incredibly fortunate inside 13 minutes when he was laboured in possession, gave the ball away and spilt the following shot into the path of Jobe Bellingham to score but was controversially ruled out for offside. Has looked a steady hands in between the sticks but not at that moment. Fortunate.

Made some crucial saves afterwards especially from Jack Clarke in the second half.

Darnell Furlong – 6

The reason Clarke wasn’t at his brilliant best today was down to the experience and quality of Darnell Furlong who had the former Tottenham winger in his back pocket all afternoon. But, like his opposite full-back, looked bereft of ideas going forward as the Baggies struggled to trouble Sunderland’s defence.

Cedric Kipre – 6

Luck was certainly on Kipre’s side when Bellingham’s goal was badly chalked off as he was clearly playing the young Englishman on. Looked solid and dogged as he needed to be alongside the evergreen Bartley. Could do nothing about Sunderland’s opener.

Kyle Bartley – 6

When Bartley doesn’t play for West Brom you can see the huge difference it makes. The Albion veteran is such a solid and reliable presence at the heart of the defence and it’s why Corberan made the decision to throw him straight after a recent injury niggle. Wasn’t at fault for Sunderland’s opener but he will be disappointed with his teammates for giving away such a cheap foul in the lead up to it.

Conor Townsend – 5

Was given a tough ride by Roberts all afternoon but stood up to the test well at times. Going forward, he looked non-existent.

Jayson Molumby – 4

Rewarded with his first start since September for Albion and it showed at times as he was lucky not to have given a penalty away after a clumsy foul on Patrick Roberts. After replays, the Sunderland man did fall too easily which swung the referee’s decision in his favour.

Didn’t do much to prove his worth to Corberan. Will be benched for the next game, that’s for sure.

Alex Mowatt – 7

In Okay Yokuslu’s absence, Mowatt was given grave responsibilities in midfield, expected to keep things ticking in possession whilst shielding the West Brom back four and he performed those roles admirably this afternoon despite the defeat. West Brom’s best performer.

Grady Diangana – 3

Lacked influence and looked a bit abject at times before being dragged by Corberan inside 60 minutes. The former West Ham man is supposed to be the star player at West Brom because of his unpredictable quality and skill but he looked far from it today. Poor.

John Swift – 5

Swift is the one player West Brom desperately need in the final third because of his immeasurable quality and class when creating goalscoring scenarios but wasn’t allowed the space or time to operate by the Sunderland midfield and defence.

Jeremy Sarmiento – 4

Showed some flashes of his skill at times but that’s about it from the Brighton loanee in another underwhelming performance from the Ecuadorian. Had a couple of half chances but showed his relative inexperience by snatching at them rather than showing some composure to make them real chances.

Josh Maja – 5

Yet another injury blow for the former Sunderland as he was forced off before half-time. Had a clear-cut chance well before it though when he was played through by Diangana but his touch let him down. Needs to be at tip-top fitness to finish those, and has now endured a further setback in his short Albion career.

Substitutes

Tom Fellows (on for Maja 36′) – 5

Brandon Thomas-Asante (on for Diangana 60′) – 6

Nathaniel Chalobah (on for Molumby 60′) – 4 – Dreadful marking for Sunderland’s opener allowing Ballard the freedom of Wearside to get his header in. Poor.

Pipa (on for John Swift 74′) – 5

Semi Ajayi (on for Bartley 75′) – 5

In other West Brom news, Guochuan Lai appears to be very close to an exit from the Hawthorns amid a recent development involving a prospective takeover.