West Brom 0 Sunderland 1: Highlights after Pierre Ekwah goal and Brandon Thomas-Asante red card

Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now
Live updates, analysis and reaction as Sunderland face West Brom at the Hawthorns in the Championship.

Sunderland got back to winning ways after a 1-0 victory at West Brom at the Hawthorns.

Mike Dodds’ side spent most of the first half camped inside their own half, yet were given a helping hand when Albion striker Brandon Thomas-Asante was sent off after receiving two bookings. Pierre Ekwah then opened the scoring just before the half-time whistle, putting the visitors in a commanding position.

Here’s how the game played out:

West Brom vs Sunderland

What to make of those side

So Sunderland have named an unchanged side following Tuesday’s goalless draw at Leeds. It looks like it will be a back five again with Timothee Pembele and Callum Styles as the wing-backs.

Mason Burstow is back on the bench, with Leo Hjelde dropping out of the squad.

West Brom have made four changes following their 2-0 win over Rotherham on Wednesday.

Conor Townsend, Grady Diangana, Nathaniel Chalobah and Alex Mowatt are the players who return to the side, while former Sunderland midfielder Yann M’Vila drops to the bench. Josh Maja isn’t named in the squad after playing for the Baggies under-21s side last night.

The home fans are booing Dan Ballard when he receives the ball.

The centre-back’s challenge on Josh Maja back in December left the forward sidelined for several months.

4' Pembele intercepts

West Brom have started on the front foot.

Right-back Furlong broke forward down the right there before his low cross was cut out by Pembele.

The Sunderland fans are now chanting, ‘there’s only one Dan Ballard.’

8' Over from Mowatt

West Brom midfielder Alex Mowatt registers the first effort at goal but fires a shot over the bar from distance.

There’s a pause in play with Chalobah down for the hosts.

Like against Leeds on Tuesday, Sunderland have started with a back five, with Pembele and Styles as the wing-backs.

Rigg is on the right and Clarke is on the left, supporting Bellingham up front.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.