By Stuart Kidson
April 20 2003

A defiant Albion ended their run of 7 consecutive Premiership defeats with a 2 - 1 win over relegated Sunderland at The Stadium of Light but Bolton's win against West Ham meant that its First Division football at The Hawthorns next season. Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion
Saturday 19th April 2003

A defiant Albion ended their run of 7 consecutive Premiership defeats with a 2 - 1 win over relegated Sunderland at The Stadium of Light but Bolton's win against West Ham meant that its First Division football at The Hawthorns next season. The dream is over for at least a year but for many fans it was well worth the experience.

Before the game rumours circulated around the away section of the ground about Gary Megson being in a heated argument with Board members on Friday evening. Questions were raised about the future of the Sheffield based manager at the club but it was not apparent from his body language throughout the game as he contested every ball, every header and every shot from within his usual position inside the technical area.

Both sides started the game positively and the Black Cats were soon pressing at the Baggies defence. Larus Sigurdsson sliced a clearance that fell to Kevin Kilbane. The Baggies defence managed to scramble the ball away but only as far as Michael Gray but his low shot was saved by Russell Hoult. Former Baggies star Kilbane was a again to cause problems for his former employers minutes later when he made a strong mazy run down the left. His cross was intercepted by Ronnie Wallwork who put the ball out for a corner.

Sean Thornton's flag kick was helped across the box and Marcus Stewart fired in a close range header that looked as if the home side was about to take an early lead but Hoult appeared from nowhere to punch the ball clear on the line. The danger had not passed and as the Baggies tried desperately to gain possession another cross fell to Stewart. This time his downwards header hit the foot of the post and the Stars in Stripes cleared their lines.

Albion were looking disjointed in this period and it was obvious that Sunderland saw this game as the perfect opportunity to end their dismal run of form but the Baggies soon found their feet and launched their first attack. Jason Koumas sent over a cross and it was Icelandic defender Sigurdsson who unleashed a powerful first time shot that forced Mart Poom to make an impressive reaction save.

Sunderland had no intention of going down without a win and were soon looking for a goal. Stewart again was allowed time on the ball and his cross fell ideally for Kevin Phillips to head just over the crossbar. Referee Mr. Graham Poll, of Tring decided that Hoult had pushed the ball over the bar and gave a corner much to the amazement of Houlty and 4,000 Albion fans behind his goal.

Sunderland were forced to make a change on 20 minutes when defender Gavin McCann, hurt himself after a reckless challenge on Andy Johnson. Julio Arca took his place and this meant that Kilbane was moved into a more central role in midfield.

The Baggies came close on 29 minutes to opening the scoring when Koumas swung over a free kick from the right which was met by former Black Cat, Danny Dichio but his header went wide of the mark. Sunderland replied when another Stewart header was sent straight towards Hoult and minutes later Kilbane saw his fierce shot take a slight deflection off an Albion player and sail high over the crossbar. Sunderland should have scored from the corner but Kevin Kyle wasted his opportunity and headed wide.

Lee Hughes, who had covered every blade of grass in the 35 minutes, had to be replaced after he took a knock on his hip and Jason Roberts came on for the Ginger Ninja. Within 4 minutes of the change the Baggies took the lead thanks to Sunderland's Poom and El Karkouri colliding and Derek McInnes' quick reactions. Poom had come out to collect a hanging ball from Neil Clement and ran into the defender. The ball dropped loose and McInnes was first to react and steered the ball into an empty net.

The away support went into a Boing Boing frenzy and were not even finished celebrating the goal when McInnes popped in again to score his second. Poom again helped the Baggies cause when he read the flight of a Koumas free kick wrong and the ball bounced off his outstretched leg. McInnes reacted quicker and bundled himself and the ball into the back of the net. Dichio could have added a third when he forced Poom into a full stretch save following a Koumas corner.

The second half saw Sean Gregan mistime a clearance and it was Stewart again who benefited but his shot was dealt with comfortably by Hoult at the foot of his post. Hoult was put under pressure by a back pass from Clement minutes later as Phillips closed in but he managed to clear his area in time.

Sunderland looked to be on a mission in the opening period of the second half and pushed relentlessly looking for a way past the baggies defence. Siggy was called on to make a well timed clearance following a right side cross from Phillips, but Albion held firm and weathered the storm. Roberts bought a brief respite for the travelling side when he made a break from just inside the Black Cats half but his run on goal was ended by El Karkouri that got the defender a Yellow card.

Another substitution by Sunderland saw El Karkouri replaced by George McCartney and the subs first contribution was to get involved with Roberts and hold the striker back as he attempted to make a break. Mr. Poll added McCartney to his list of offenders. The home side were still enjoying plenty of space on the left side of the pitch and Phillips and Kilbane combined well to see another scrambled clearance by the Baggies.

Dichio almost put the outcome beyond any doubt just after the 60 minute mark after Koumas had won a very strong challenge in midfield and the ball broke to Dichio whose first time shot forced Poom into another fine save. The Baggies were slowly gaining the upper hand on the game with Koumas and Johnson stamping their authority in midfield.

The nerves of the 4000 plus away support were rattled 20 minutes from time though when Sean Thornton let fly with a thunderbolt shot from outside the area. Hoult did well to save the initial shot and as the ball bounced back off his body that man Stewart, who had threatened all game to score, nipped in and put the ball in the back of the net. The goal lifted the home side and it was Arca who sent over a cross for Stewart again minutes later, but the rampant forward could only direct the ball into the side netting.

The games pace and tempo increased as the home side looked for a share of the points and the Baggies could have gone ahead further when Koumas went off on a run that took him from the centre circle to the edge of the Black Cats area. Clement was running in space to his left and was ideally placed for a clear shot on goal, but the Welsh midfielder had other thoughts and cracked a shot himself that took a slight deflection straight into the arms of the Sunderland keeper.

Roberts, despite problems at home, seemingly enjoyed his run out and made life very difficult for the Mackems defence and it took a fine effort from McCartney to put an end to another break from the striker.

Mr. Poll blew up time and the Baggies recorded their 3rd away win of the season much to the delight of the travelling fans. Andy Johnson made sure that all the Baggies team came and showed appreciation to the away fans for the support given at the Stadium of Light.

Man of the Match selected by Ms. Julie Stevens of Worcester - Derek McInnes

Team: Russell Hoult, Igor Balis, Larus Sigurdsson, Ronnie Wallwork, Sean Gregan, Neil Clement, Jason Koumas, Derek McInnes, Andy Johnson, Danny Dichio, Lee Hughes (36)

Subs: Joe Murphy, Des Lyttle, Ifeyani Udeze, Scott Dobie, Jason Roberts (36)