Sunderland 0 West Brom 0: Albion dig in amid defensive crisis

Carlos Corberan's troops defended for most of the evening on Wearside but the quality of their work at the back was well worthy of a very welcome point, much to the frustration of the hosts, for whom it was a fifth draw on the spin.

The Baggies' attacking output was limited, at best. The visitors only forced two chances all night through Josh Maja early and Lewis Dobbin late on.

But the night was about the defensive organisation and resilience of Corberan's men, who shared the spoils for an eighth time in nine games unbeaten, albeit with just a single win in 11.

Ousmane Diakite, the midfielder, was originally selected to play in a shuffled backline before breaking down in the build-up. In came the returning Kyle Bartley, for just one half, before another midfielder Uros Racic took the role.

Albion's rearguard kept the hosts at bay comfortably all night and became the first side to deny Sunderland at home.

Much interest circled on what Corberan would do in the absence of the suspended Darnell Furlong, who missed a league game for the first time in the head coach's 96 Championship outings.

No risks were taken on Kyle Bartley, who only returned from a knee injury to the bench initially, with Diakite given the nod in a change to a back three.

Albion had trained of late preparing for Diakite to become an emergency centre-half. That went out the window, however, when the Mali international himself broke down injured in the warm-up and had to be replaced by Bartley, as the defensive crisis extended.

Sunderland dominated the opening 10 minutes and really penned in the visitors. Striker Wilson Isidor saw a deflected strike kept out by quick Alex Palmer reactions.

As Albion had planned, winger Tom Fellows dropped very deep when the Black Cats attacked, but Fellows was involved at the other as Corberan's men spurned a fine chance.

It was wonderful work from the winger. His trademark stepover and cross went unread and the delivery was inch-perfect pulled back to Maja - jeered at his former club - but unusually Maja could only miscue wide.

Albion worked hard to contain and defend the hosts as the first period wore on. Karlan Grant proved a useful and energetic outlet dragging the visitors forward.

There was some frustration as Regis Le Bris' hosts - after four draws on the spin - struggled to get much joy from resolute and rigid Albion.

Corberan would hope for better ball retention, though. Too often the Baggies wasted possession when there might've been a chance to counter. Hurdles continued to come for Albion. 

Corberan opted to remove Bartley at the interval - ideally a precaution after a strong half - and introduced Racic, a midfielder, into the backline.

Mikey Johnston, who was quiet in the first half, was also withdrawn and replaced by Dobbin.

The second period continued the theme of the first. Albion's introductions settled well, leaving Sunderland frustrated.

The Black Cats thought they had the lead just shy of the hour though. Luke O'Nien galloped forward and his low cross from the right byline was turned home by Isidor - only for the assistant's flag to promptly rule it out.

Albion backs were firmly against the wall with attacking threat almost at zero. Only a goal-saving Alex Mowatt block from Chris Rigg kept the hosts out with 20 minutes left. 

Moments later Patrick Roberts' poke across goal rolled just inches wide with Palmer rooted.

Sunderland kept pushing with Albion gamesmanship willing to eat up the time, leaving locals tearing their hair out.

And it was almost quite the moment six minutes from time as a rare Baggies break saw Dobbin feed Grant and Fellows' low cross picked out Dobbin, whose low effort from 12 yards out was heading wide before panto villain Dan Ballard cleared anyway. It was a real chance.

Teams

Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Hume, Mepham, Ballard, O'Nien (Aouchiche, 68); Neil (c), Rigg; Roberts, Bellingham, Watson (Mayenda, 68); Isidor.Subs not used: Moore, Rusyn, Connolly, Aleksic, Hjelde, Johnson, Alese.Albion (4-4-2): Palmer; Holgate, Bartley (Racic, 45), Heggem, Styles; Fellows, Molumby, Mowatt, Johnston (Dobbin, 45); Maja (Swift, 79), Grant (Cole, 90).Subs not used: Wildsmith, Nelson, Frabotta, Whitwell, Wallace.Attendance: 36,733Referee: Robert Madley