Albion 3 Sunderland 0 - verdict

In-form Chris Brunt bagged his fourth goal in three games in the second half and on-loan Juan Carlos Menseguez scored late on.

It sealed a deserved win to keep Sunderland in trouble near the foot of the table.

A third goal of the season from defender Jonas Olsson five minutes before half-time had set the Baggies on their way to a deserved victory – their first since beating Middlesbrough at the Hawthorns back in January.

Tony Mowbray's men remain huge long shots to save themselves from relegation despite this morale-boosting victory.

The game began with the Hawthorns crowd resigned to a return to the Championship and with a group of supporters in the Smethwick End displaying a homemade banner calling for the removal of chairman Jeremy Peace.

But the Hawthorns faithfull ended the game right behind their team, after the Baggies secured the win that their performance richly deserved.

The home side had the better of the opening exchanges and improved as the first half progressed, with Olsson firing them in front shortly before the interval.

Jonathan Greening's left wing corner found its way beyond the far post, where Olsson forced home a left footed shot despite tumbling as he made contact.

There was controversy surrounding the goal, with Sunderland fans complaining Greening's flag-kick was not taken from within the quadrant.

But Albion deserved their half-time lead and they were well on top for most of the second period, doubling their advantage just before the hour mark.

The move was started and finished by Brunt as he claimed his seventh goal of the season to become the Baggies' outright leading scorer.

He spread play out wide to Marc-Antoine Fortune before continuing his run and forcing home the low cross.

Sunderland had a chance to half their deficit, but striker Djibril Cisse fired over from a couple of yards.

Then Mensequez completed the scoring, firing into the bottom corner after beating Anton Ferdinand.