A draw up at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday evening means we are used to these draws by now but I have to say it was the best point I would take after tonight’s performance, plus a defensive crisis. Even Sunderland had a goal that was disallowed and missed 2 key sitters in the second half.
West Brom made one change with Kyle Bartley replacing the suspended Darnell Furlong after Ousmane Diakite who was selected to start pulled up during the warm up.
Sunderland started well and we forced the first save when Alex Palmer stopped Isidor’s effort and the Baggies went close later with Josh Maja flashing wide from Tom Fellows’ low, right-wing cross. We also came under pressure throughout the rest of the half but Sunderland went to level with the Baggies at the break.
In the second half, Alex Mowatt blocked Chris Rigg’s shot to keep it all square on 69 minutes. The hosts came close minutes later when Patrick Roberts shot through the legs of Heggem and inches wide of the left upright keeping the scores at 0-0.
The Baggies almost claimed all three points late on when Lewis Dobbin saw a low left-foot drive cleared from under the crossbar – but the game ended goalless.
We also claimed all three points late on when Dobbin’s shot cleared from under the crossbar, meaning we have drawn 8 of our last 9 games in the Championship.
Sunderland: Patterson, O’Nien (Alese ’67), Mepham, Ballard, Neil, Bellingham, Roberts, Rigg, Watson (Mayenda ’67), Isidor
West Brom: Palmer; Holgate, Bartley (Racic 46), Heggem, Styles; Fellows, Molumby, Mowatt, Johnston (Dobbin 46); Grant (Cole 90), Maja (Swift 79).
Another draw in the Championship but would take it against Sunderland away who have had a great season so far, but next up is Preston in where I feel this could be the one we need to win and would be back in attendance on Saturday.