Saido Berahino

A late goal from Sebastian Larsson saved Sunderland from an opening day defeat in a lively 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns.

Sunderland led for a long time during the first half through Lee Cattermole’s stunning goal but were pegged back thanks to Saido Berahino’s controversial 42nd minute penalty.

Berahino scored again to give Albion a second half lead before Larsson struck late to give Sunderland their share of the blushes in an exciting encounter.

The Black Cats made an explosive start to the game as they took the lead in the fifth minute. Cattermole managed to rifle into the top corner from a full 25 yards and beat Ben Foster with only his second goal for Sunderland, in his 120th appearance.

It would take 19 minutes for Albion to get a chance, and Berahino really should have went across the goalkeeper when he had space in the box if he were to score.

It could have been 2-0 to Sunderland soon after, as Valentin Roberge headed wide when unmarked from 6 yards out. It was a real opportunity for the defender that was wasted.

That gave West Brom a new found confidence and Chris Brunt was really unlucky with a 25 yard strike that flashed past Vito Mannone’s post.

Craig Gardner was making his Albion debut after signing from today’s opponents, and he nearly scored with a long-range rocket that was dropping in. Mannone had to be smart to tip Gardner’s effort over the bar, but the home side would be given their best chance to draw level just a minute later.

Roberge hauled down Victor Anichebe in the box, and referee Neil Swarbrick pointed to the penalty spot. It was a soft decision but Berahino didn’t waste time to ask questions and whipped the ball to the goalkeeper’s right, sending Mannone the wrong way. The England U21s striker also tested Mannone with a right-footed effort before the half- time whistle was blew at 1-1.

After the break, Connor Wickham managed to beat West Brom debutant Andre Wisdom to a corner, but his side-footed effort landed wide of the post, in a good chance for the striker. Anichebe had the next chance as he rolled Roberge in a similar way to the penalty, before fluffing his shot wide from a good position. It was piece of action that summed up his performance.

Sunderland had a goal ruled out when Steven Fletcher powered a header into the net from Cattermole’s cross, only to see the flag go up for offside and ruin his celebration. Berahino was inches away from getting on the end of John O’Shea’s backpass before he gave Albion the lead in the 73rd minute.

Patrick van Aanholt was slow to react on the back post and Albion’s young striker managed to get on the end of Gardner’s dangerous cross to tap home his second goal of the game, sending the Baggies fans into raptures.

Sunderland threw everything at Albion in search of an equalizer and Jozy Altidore was brought on by Gus Poyet. Albion looked like they were going to hold on, despite the Sunderland pressure before van Aanholt made up for his mistake by assisting the late goal.

The Dutch left-back got to the byline and delivered a low cross from the left and Larsson was there to slide past Foster, adding another twist to a fantastic game as the game ended 2-2.

West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Wisdom, Dawson, Olsson, Pocognoli, Mulumbu, Gardner, Dorrans, Berahino, Brunt, Anichebe
Subs: Myhill, Ideye, Davidson, O’Neil, Sessegnon, Yacob, Baird

Sunderland: Mannone, Roberge, van Aanholt, Brown, O’Shea, Cattermole, Larsson, Rodwell, Johnson, Wickham, Fletcher
Subs: Pantilimon, Bridcutt, Gomez, Altidore, Mavrias, Graham, Buckley

Report by Kyle Dixon.