Sunderland kept their play-off hopes alive with a thrilling 2-1 win at the Hawthorns, thanks to a Dennis Cirkin brace.
Jon Swfit’s controversial penalty was cancelled out by Cirkin’s header, before the fullback secured a late winner.
Tony Mowbray made three changes on his return to the Hawthorns, with Cirkin, Abdoullah Ba and Pierre Ekwah coming into the side.
For the Baggies, Okay Yokuslu replaced Nathaniel Chalobah in the only change to their lineup.
West Brom had an early penalty shout when Ba arguably tripped Molumby, but the referee decided he won just enough of the ball.
West Brom started the game more positively, but from Sunderland’s first corner Joe Gelhardt’s goalward volley was headed away by Jayson Molumby.
The opening half an hour hadn’t seen many major chances for either team, but every time Sunderland got the ball they were looking more and more comfortable with the Baggies’ pressure.
The biggest chance so far came when Jack Clarke beat his man and curled a shot towards the far corner, forcing Palmer into a good save.
Just before half time, West Brom were awarded a contentious penalty against the run of play when Luke O’Nien was adjudged to catch John Swift with a mistimed clearance.
Swift beat Patterson from the spot. Sunderland went into half time 1-0 down.
After the break West Brom had a huge chance to double their lead; they were denied by some terrific Sunderland defending to block five consecutive shots.
On 50 minutes Lynden Gooch lifted a great cross into the box, and it was met with Dennis Cirkin who directed an incredible header into the top corner to equalise.
The game really burst to life, with both teams flying into tackles. Gooch fired a low shot towards Palmer and forced a corner.
Later, Dan Neil’s powerful strike was parried by Palmer before Jack Clarke’s effort was inches past the post.
West Brom had the ball in the net after 80 minutes but the flag had already gone up with the ball out of play.
In the 84th minute Cirkin had his second, capping off an amazing passing move with an expert finish beyond Palmer, and firing Sunderland into 6th place.
Sunderland: Patterson, Gooch ©, Hume, O’Nien, Cirkin, Clarke, Neil, Ekwah, Amad, Ba, Gelhardt.
West Brom: Palmer, Furlong, Ajayi, Pieters, Townsend ©, Molumby, Yokuslu, Wallace, Swift, Grant, Thomas-Asante.
Full time: West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Sunderland
ALS Man of the Match: Dennis Cirkin
