Tony Mowbray demands Sunderland learn these lessons after West Brom defeat and second-half lapses

It was the fourth time this season the Black Cats have led a home fixture at half-time but failed to take all three points.

Sunderland were the better team in the opening 45 minutes against The Baggies, with a 19th-minute penalty from Amad putting Mowbray’s side in control.

Yet the flow of the match changed significantly after the break, as goals from Baggies substitutes Tom Rogic and Daryl Dike saw Carlos Corberan’s men record a fourth consecutive victory.

When asked about his side’s inconsistencies, Mowbray said: “I think the frustration is that we get that inconsistency throughout the game.

“We can be really hot at some moments and really good, win the ball back and we play forwards. We look exciting and are all running and attacking, filling the box and look like we can score goals.

“And then the mental side of the game is that we sort of sink in at times and keep men behind the ball. As I keep saying, with good players if you give them space they’ll pick the right pass and right weight of pass, they will go right through your line.

“We have to get out of protection mode sometimes and be more positive.”

With the score at 1-1 Mowbray brought on Dennis Cirkin for Dan Neil and altered his side’s formation to play with wing-backs.

The change didn’t have the desired effect, though, as substitute Jack Clarke and Amad were still pushed back on the flanks, with Sunderland often defending in a 5-4-1 shape.

“We changed the shape to a 5-4-1,” added Mowbray. “The four in front of the five shouldn’t be worried about what’s behind them.

“The defenders have to defend, that’s their job, and the midfield players have to put pressure on the ball. If it gets played past the defenders have to engage, lock on and we have to break away on the back of that.

"Clarke and Diallo should be able to break away with (Ellis) Simms and there is a lot of pace in the team to do that, but not if you’re sitting on your own full-backs’ toes.

“It was a bit frustrating and I think the youthfulness of that is something that they have to learn, but as the coach we have to do more scenario football for them, that repetition of how you have to play in certain situations.

“It was a similar feeling against Burnley when we were 2-0 up and cruising and then we lost one goal, and then you’re inviting the pressure and teams on top of you. Good teams will find the right passes.

“It’s a learning curve and a journey for this team but obviously the frustration for us is that we’re so close to being pretty good and we keep getting a slap in the face, it knocks you back a bit.

“We have to try and learn from these sorts of days.”