- Fletcher, Brunt scores
- WBA stays 8th
- Sunderland goes bottom
Darren Fletcher and Chris Brunt struck in quick first half succession as West Bromwich Albion handed Sunderland a 2-0 defeat at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
West Brom is up to 32 points, comfortably midtable and aiming for some breaks atop the table and good Cup fortune to get into the European mix.
Sunderland is now three points back of 17th place, held by Swansea City. The Black Cats do have better goal differential than Swans, but sit 20th.
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Chances for a minor upset didn’t look good early, though Sunderland dodged a bullet with Billy Jones’ takedown of Salomon Rondon was judged not to merit a West Brom penalty kick.
Fletcher hit his target in the 30th minute to make partial amends, at least karmically, as West Brom went ahead when he chested Gareth McAuley’s header into position for a volleyed finish.
Brunt was next, and his goal was just as fine to view. It started with intrepid Matty Phillips, whose cross was palmed back to Nacer Chadli. The ex-Spurs man hit the cross bar, but Brunt volleyed that home.
Jake Livermore nearly scored on debut for the Baggies, who rarely looked to be in trouble.
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6 - Chris Brunt has had a hand in six goals in his last five home Premier League games (three goals, three assists). Homely.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 21, 2017
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