West Brom vs Sunderland: Match Report

Martin Atkinson was centre of attention today as Sunderland and Sam Allardyce suffered defeat at the Hawthorns, as West Brom scraped a narrow 1-0 win. The Black Cats began the game brightly and dominated the first half, with Billy Jones coming close only for his header to be saved by Boaz Myhill in the Albion goal. The deadlock was broken early in the second half when Saido Berahino fouled Costel Pantilimon before tapping the ball in from 1-yard out. Martin Atkinson, who had a terrible game, could have gave a foul for not one, not two but three infringements, but he remarkably failed to see any of them. The Black Cats tried to push on for an equaliser but Tony Pulis’ men held on to claim a narrow win as Sunderland continue to look for their first win of the season.

The Black Cats began the game bright and looked a lot more solid with a defensive shape about them. Lee Cattermole and Steven Fletcher both had efforts blocked by a resolute Albion defence in the opening moments. The best chance of the half fell to former West Brom right-back Billy Jones, who had his brave header saved at point blank range by Boaz Myhill. Sunderland were unable to make their sustained pressure pay off, with the sides going into the break level.

Controversy struck 10 minutes into the second-half, when Saido Berahino put the Baggies in the lead. The forward was clearly backing into keeper Costel Pantilimon, causing the Romanian to drop the ball before Berahino controlled the ball with his arm, he then kicked the ball out of the keepers hands who had managed to reclaim the ball. Bizarrely awful referee Martin Atkinson awarded the goal. The Black Cats were now chasing the game and despite sustained pressure, they were unable to find that clinical edge in front of goal.

Trouble brewed after the final whistle, with bad-boy James McClean celebrating in front of the away end, prompting Danny Graham and Lee Cattermole to intervene.