West Brom 1 Sunderland 2:Roy Keane might have been the catalyst for Sunderland's revival but the Trinidad and Tobago flag draped across the visiting end here hinted at another increasingly significant influence. Having led the Caribbean islands to their first World Cup finals last summer, Dwight Yorke and Stern John are promising to bring much more than a carnival atmosphere to the Stadium of Light over the coming months.
Premiership football is top of Yorke's and John's agendas and that dream moved closer with this victory, secured courtesy of goals from the duo. Both were signed by Keane along with their international team-mate Carlos Edwards, and their arrival on Wearside will soon be followed by a much larger influx, with the Trinidad & Tobago supporters' club booked for their first excursion to Sunderland when Wolves pay a visit in April.
That ought to encourage Niall Quinn, who has been working assiduously to increase the club's fan base, though the Sunderland chairman is more likely to be impressed with the Soca Warriors' impact on the field. Yorke may have been seen as a spent force and John has hardly been a prolific scorer, yet Keane appears to have recruited shrewdly.
"I thought they would be good for the dressingroom," said the manager. "With Stern, his contract was up (at Coventry) and I thought he was good value. He gives us something a bit different; he's got a physical presence and his hold-up play is excellent. Yorkey came for a small fee and he obviously brings experience."
Not that he always listens to his erstwhile Manchester United team-mate. Keane had instructed Yorke to "sit" in midfield alongside Dean Whitehead, but the 35-year-old ignored his orders and "bombed on" to put Sunderland ahead. John's adroit flick ran perfectly into Yorke's path, allowing the former striker to plant a firm shot past Dean Kiely.
John's far-post header brought a third goal in five appearances and effectively sealed the match.
Tony Mowbray's side rallied late on, Darren Carter hooking in a 20-yard shot, but there were few clear chances. Albion were frustrated, no one more so than their manager. Mowbray's bizarre assessment suggested defeat not only hurt but also skewed his judgment: "If that was as good as they play, I'd be pretty confident we'll take more points out of the season than them."
Mowbray implied Sunderland were negative but that was a compliment to Keane, whose game-plan was spot-on. Sunderland sat deep, allowing Albion to pass without penetrating. In possession Sunderland attacked with menace, only Kiely's excellent goalkeeping, Paul Robinson's trip on Liam Miller - which brought a red card - and poor finishing preventing further goals.
WEST BROM: Kiely, McShane, Clement, Curtis Davies, Robinson, Koumas, Chaplow, Greening (Carter 55), Koren (Gera 55), Kamara, Phillips (MacDonald 55). Subs not used: Daniels, Albrechtsen. Booked: Clement.
SUNDERLAND: Ward, Simpson, Evans, Nosworthy, Collins, Edwards (Hysen 41), Whitehead, Yorke (Liam Miller 73), Stokes, Connolly, John (Murphy 62). Subs not used: Fulop, Leadbitter. Booked: Whitehead.
Referee: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).
Guardian Service
