Sunderland

2.25

• 
  8

  6

  1.50

  Simon Mignolet

  Had no answer for Gera’s thunderbolt from distance but gifted the Baggies their second, inexplicably spilling the ball at Long’s feet with it bobbling towards him from Brunt’s overhit pass. Redeemed himself slightly with a great one-on-one save from the Irishman shortly after the break.

• 
  3

  3

  2.50

  Phil Bardsley

  Was strong at right-back in the first half, moving into the centre of defence after O’Shea departed. Adapted well, showing good pace to nullify the threat of Long on occasion but struggled against the beastly Lukaku late on.

• 
  2

  4

  2.00

  John O'Shea

  Harshly booked in the game's opening exchanges and was then forced to play tentatively against the direct Long. Was substituted at half-time, presumably to avoid being dismissed in the second period.

• 
  2

  3

  3.00

  Carlos Javier Cuéllar

  Defended strongly and looked a threat from set-pieces throughout. Was totally blameless for the four goals scored by the Baggies.

• 
  4

  2

  2.50

  Danny Rose

  Contributed well in attack despite never getting fully forward and attacking Jones, largely snuffed out the threat of Odemwingie throughout but lost Gera as the Hungarian cut in from the right and opened the scoring magnificently.

• 
  4

  2

  2.50

  Lee Cattermole

  Was having a composed game in midfield, despite giving away a number of niggly fouls, but was forced off just after the half-hour after landing awkwardly and seemingly injuring his knee.

• 
  2

  3

  2.50

  Sebastian Larsson

  Whipped in a couple of decent crosses but lacked the pace to get the better of Ridgewell. Moved to right-back in the second half and his threat actually increased as he was only required to deliver from deeper positions.

• 
  2

  6

  1.00

  Jack Colback Flop of the Match

  Sat deep in midfield and was totally unable to shackle Gera, with the Hungarian among the Baggies' most influential players. Incredibly sloppy in possession too, giving away the ball a number of times in his own half.

• 
  2

  8

  1.50

  Adam Johnson

  Struggled to have an impact on the game going forward, cutting inside too often from the left in the first half and spending the majority of the second half tracking back. Finally got involved, but in the worst way, tripping Ridgewell in the box and handing the Baggies a late penalty.

• 
  7

  2

  3.50

  Stéphane Sessegnon

  Looked the hosts’ brightest attacking threat, taking men on and getting into goalscoring positions. Set up a volley for himself before drawing another great save from Myhill with a header. Finally got the goal he deserved, pouncing on another fine save to give the hosts late hope.

• 
  2

  4

  2.00

  Steven Fletcher

  If the Black Cats were looking to the Scotland man to fire them to a win, they should have looked elsewhere. Was not quick or strong enough to get the better of Olsson or McAuley and will want to move on from a poor showing.

Substitutions

• 
  6

  2

  3.00

  Craig Gardner

  Came on for the injured Cattermole and added a touch more composure to the middle in the pitch, despite lacking the skipper's bite. Scored the hosts' first with a heavily deflected free kick.

• 
  0

  9

  2.00

  James McClean

  Replaced O'Shea at the break with the hosts needing goals and was shunted around the midfield in an attempt to find a role from which he could threaten, but he failed to get going fully.

• 
  2

  4

  2.00

  Louis Saha

  Brought on in the second half, and added a presence to the front line, without ever directly threatening.

West Bromwich Albion

3.00

• 
  4

  3

  3.50

  B. Myhill

  Unfortunate to concede twice after making several stunning saves to deny the Black Cats. Beaten by a deflection for the hosts' first before Sessegnon pounced on a parried save to score a second.

• 
  2

  2

  3.00

  Jonas Olsson

  The Swede kept Fletcher quiet throughout, although struggled slightly when he had to go man-to-man following Saha's introduction.

• 
  2

  2

  3.00

  Liam Ridgewell

  Solid in defence all afternoon with the Black Cats finding little joy down his flank. Rarely attacked but won a penalty for the visitors' third goal on one rare foray forward.

• 
  7

  1

  3.00

  Gareth McAuley

  Comfortable afternoon for the Ulsterman, who was strong against Fletcher, winning countless headers and also playing the ball out from the back well.

• 
  1

  5

  2.50

  Billy Jones

  A steady afternoon for the right-back although was overrun at times with little support from the likes of Odemwingie and Gera. As a result was completely absent in attack.

• 
  6

  4

  3.00

  Claudio Yacob

  Bedded into his deep midfield role and allowed the others around him to attack. Sessegnon was often forced to look to wide positions to get into the game, which was a credit to the Argentine's solidity.

• 
  7

  0

  2.50

  James Morrison

  Sat deep and combined his fine ability with some clever mopping up, broke forward on a couple of occasions but not often enough to provide a constant threat.

• 
  3

  3

  2.50

  Chris Brunt

  Seemed confused of his role, playing halfway between central midfield and the left wing. Used the ball well when in possession, however.

• 
  18

  5

  4.00

  Zoltán Gera Top of the Match

  Opened the scoring with a pearler of a left-footed strike and flitted around the midfield throughout, winning the ball well and finding team-mates with clever touches and passes. Central to all good things from the visitors.

• 
  10

  5

  3.50

  Shane Long

  Booked for diving, despite being clearly tripped by O’Shea but was smiling soon after, reaping the rewards from following in Brunt’s poor pass to capitalise on Mignolet’s howler and tap home the Baggies’ second.

• 
  9

  2

  2.00

  Peter Odemwingie

  Nipped the ball away from Johnson to set up Gera’s wondergoal. Worked hard on the right flank, but often found the strong and speedy Rose tough to shake off and was largely denied any clear scoring chances.

Substitutions

• 
  4

  1

  Sebastien Gabriel Tamaş

  Brought on late to shore up the Baggies' defence as Sunderland pushed for a third.

• 
  46

  7

  3.50

  Romelu Lukaku

  Replaced Long after the Irishman had put his shift in and dominated the Black Cats tiring defence. Slotted home a penalty before beating Mignolet to the ball and narrowly missing then smashing the post from close range, also laid the ball to Fortune to strike the final blow.

• 
  4

  3

  3.00

  Marc-Antoine Fortune

  Brought on in place of Odemwingie and wrapped up proceedings with a late fourth, after cutting inside Larsson.