West Bromwich Albion 3-0 Sunderland match report 21st september 2013

Manager Paulo Di Canio’s job is in the balance after his Sunderland side lost 3- 0 at West Bromich Albion – a defeat made worse by the fact that the first goal was scored by Di Canio reject Stephane Sessegnon.

At the end of what was a poor performance the Black Cats boss walked over to the few hundred remaining Sunderland fans and gesticulated to them to keep their chins up – a suggestion which was met with a barrage of abuse. Di Canio now has to turn things round quickly or could be the first managerial casualty of the season.

The fact is that Sunderland played reasonably well until the 20^th minute when they fell behind to a goal by Sessegnon from a fine cross from the right by Morgan Amalfitano. So often in football a former player returns to haunt their old side and the Beninese midfielder did not disappoint, firing in from six yards.

The goal knocked the stuffing out of Sunderland and as a result the Mackems didn't create any chances and West Brom went into the break fully in control of the game.

In the second half some early pressure from the visitors looked likely to produce a goal but it was not to be and the best chance the northerners could muster resulted in a serious shoulder injury for striker Stephen Fletcher who was helped off leaving  his team with only 10 men having used all three substitutes.

The Baggies then assumed full control and on 76 minutes, Amalfatino - who was a constant thorn in the side of the opposition - whipped in another great cross which was only half palmed away by goalkeeper Kieren Westwood into the path of the arriving left back Liam Ridgewell who coolly side-footed the ball into the net.

Amalfatino fully deserved his man of the match award after a performance which incorporated pace, skill, finesse and class which has been lacking in West Brom’s midfield in recent months. Three minutes into time added on the Frenchman went clear on the right of the box and fired a rasping drive into the corner of the net to crown a cracking debut.

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West Brom deserved their win and climbed away from the bottom of the table while Sunderland remain stuck at the foot with only a single point. After the game Di Canio said the fact that the club had signed 14 new players meant they needed time to gel. He told reporters he had no intention of quitting and would get his team out of trouble.

It looks like a long season for Sunderland who face Liverpool next weekend but for the Baggies, much promise was shown by new additions Amalfatino and Sessegnon which would be taken into next week’s tough game against Manchester United at Old Trafford