An error by West Brom goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith gifted Sunderland a 1-0 win at The Hawthorns to strengthen their Sky Guess Championship play-off bid and dent the hosts’ top-six ambitions.

Wildsmith received a hand to Trai Hume’s Thirty sixth-minute free-kick however ought to have prevented the left-back scoring the winner for a second successive match.

Sunderland’s ninth away win of the season consolidated fourth place and saved Albion – managed by former Black Cats head coach Tony Mowbray – seventh earlier than the later afternoon kick-offs.

The hosts created probabilities galore however couldn’t convert them, whereas Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson denied Kyle Bartley.

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Darnell Furlong’s volley was blocked by Chris Mepham on the goalline after Patterson punched away Karlan Grant’s deflected cross, then midfielder Alex Mowatt ballooned a shot over the bar.

Sunderland ultimately received out of their very own half simply after the mid-point of the primary interval when Romaine Mundle curled narrowly large from the sting of the field.

Patrick Roberts went shut for the guests after slicing inside when his left-footed drive was deflected behind.

Sunderland had been pressured right into a Thirty fourth-minute substitution when Mundle was changed by Eliezer Mayenda – and shortly after Mayenda received the free-kick that proved decisive.

Hume curled the ball into the highest nook however Wildsmith will probably be disenchanted to not have saved it.

It was the Northern Eire worldwide’s second objective in as many video games after netting the one objective towards Millwall on Wearside final week.

Albion claimed a penalty when Furlong fell after slicing inside his man however referee Tom Nield waved play on.

Jayson Molumby ought to have equalised from a free header from point-blank vary however glanced large from Mikey Johnston’s cross.

Grady Diangana then whistled a strong shot inches over the bar from 25 yards as Albion pressed once more.

The second half began equally to the primary, with loads of possession from Albion earlier than Sunderland created an opportunity.

Hume tried to repeat his objective with one other curling effort however this time it completed the mistaken aspect of the submit.

Albion made a double substitution within the 62nd minute when Daryl Dike and Tom Fellows changed Alex Mowatt and Diangana.

Molumby and Johnston – twice every – had long-range pictures blocked then the latter blazed over as Albion tried to get again on degree phrases.

Patterson made his first critical save within the 81st minute when he tipped away Kyle Bartley’s header from Furlong’s cross, earlier than substitute Tammer Bany hooked manner over the bar.

Dike maybe had Albion’s greatest probability however he despatched a free header over the bar from contained in the six-yard field from Fellows’ cross.

Wilson Isidor’s shot for Sunderland was deflected behind in a uncommon guests’ assault.

And the Black Cats held on to report a 3rd successive victory at The Hawthorns, whereas Albion have suffered consecutive defeats.

The managers

West Brom’s Tony Mowbray:

“He ought to have saved it. He apologised to me after the sport – he got here to seek out me in my workplace and mentioned it is on him.

“The goalkeeper acknowledged he made a fairly unhealthy mistake which value us a objective which in the end value us the sport.

“However that is the job as a goalkeeper. It is irritating as a result of that turns into the narrative.

“With the probabilities we had and the conditions we received into, it’s important to put the ball within the internet.”

Sunderland’s Regis Le Bris:

“I wished to bolster the concept of mindset throughout the group as a result of they had been rather well related and received many duels and our group spirit was spectacular once more.

“They put many our bodies within the field and so they tried totally different choices to create conditions however we defended nicely.

“Till the top we had been on the sting however the mentality of the group is getting higher – you’ll be able to really feel it now.

“In all probability three or 4 months in the past we’d have misplaced that sport and we have misplaced many factors in these circumstances, so this was optimistic.”