Despite the setback, the home side enjoyed plenty of possession, but failed to create clear-cut chances.

Despite the setback, the home side enjoyed plenty of possession, but failed to create clear-cut chances. Sunderland should have punished West Brom for their lack of attacking prowess on the half-hour mark when the unmarked Valentin Roberge headed Larsson’s teasing free-kick wide.

 Chris Brunt responded for West Brom with a fizzing strike from distance that went narrowly wide, before new signing Craig Gardner – making his debut against his former club – forced Vito Mannone to tip over the bar with a dipping shot. West Brom’s pressure paid dividends three minutes before the break. Referee Neil Swarbrick perhaps harshly adjudged that Roberge had tugged down Victor Anichebe in the area and Berahino rolled the resulting spot-kick in the bottom left-hand corner, sending Mannone the wrong way.

West Brom thought they had gone ahead shortly after the restart when Craig Dawson’s header appeared to cross the line, despite Fletcher’s clearance, but the referee had blown for a foul in the area. Sunderland were also denied by the officials when Cattermole’s cross was flicked by Wes Brown into Fletcher, who headed home at the back post, only to be thwarted by an offside flag.

 Berahino then put West Brom ahead. Graham Dorrans’ strike was well saved by Mannone, but Gardner collected the ball on the left of the box and lofted a wonderful cross that Berahino side-footed home at the back post. Sunderland, however, struck five minutes from time to secure a share of the spoils. Debutant Van Aanholt found space on the left and picked out Larsson, who applied the low finish from eight yards.