West Bromwich Albion produced a superb second-half comeback to beat Sunderland and climb out of the Championship relegation zone.
Sunderland dominated the first half, deservedly leading 1-0 thanks to Amad Diallo’s 19th-minute penalty.
But the Baggies fought back when Tom Rogic looped a leveler with the outside of his boot in the 70th minute.
Fellow substitute Daryl Dike completed the turnaround to give West Brom a fourth straight win, when he headed in Jed Wallace’s cross.
It was both injured Dike and Rogic’s first goals for the visitors, robbing Sunderland of the chance to move up to seventh and less than a point clear of the play-offs.
Corberan’s Baggies rebound
Such is the tightness of this season’s Championship, West Brom are now just eight points clear of the top six with one game less.
They had started the day in 22nd, one point clear of safety.
Carlos Corberan’s Baggies are a different side to one who have won just two of their first 17 games. The Spaniard lost his first game in charge against Sheffield United at the end of October but they have now beaten Blackpool, QPR, Stoke and the Black Cats.
West Brom lacked a clinical advantage in front of goal in the first half, but they improved a lot in the second when Matt Phillips and Rogic forced fine saves from Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.
Australia’s Rogic leveled things 20 minutes from time, scoring his first goal in English football since leaving Celtic last summer.
Dike, playing only his third game of the season after suffering a thigh injury after the opener, then sealed the three points with a hard-hitting header.
The story of two penalties for Sunderland
The defeat continued Sunderland’s inconsistent form with small numbers of supporters booing at the full-time whistle in a cold, wintry Stadium of Light.
Diallo, on loan from Manchester United, was once again a bright spark for the hosts as he scored a fifth goal in seven appearances on the spot, after being brought down by an awkward challenge from Conor Townsend.
Diallo may have been awarded another penalty shortly before Dike’s winner when he went into the box for the second time, only for referee James Linington to wave to continue.
Once Tony Mowbray’s side fell behind, his side were unable to shape another clear effort against his former club.
Sunderland and West Brom are in action again on Saturday.
The Black Cats have gone to Hull City and the Baggies are to host Rotherham.
“We suffered but we stuck together”
Sunderland head coach Tony Mowbray told BBC Radio Newcastle:
“A frustrating night for us. We need to address the scenario where we need to protect a lead. We didn’t help each other, sat too deep and invited the pressure.
“This team, in this stadium, we have to play on the front foot.
“West Brom have some very good players for this league and we gave them too much time on the ball. In the end, it’s frustrating for us.
“We are so close to being good and that sets you back a bit. There will be good days around the corner. We have to learn from those kinds of days.”
West Brom head coach Carlos Corberan told BBC Radio WM:
“Sunderland were the better team in the first 15 minutes but, from then on, we balanced and then in the second half we were the better team.
“We have a good group of players to win the game. After our first goal I thought we could play the game and the mentality of the players was excellent.
“We achieved the result we wanted to achieve.
“We were suffering but we stuck together and we won together. It’s the mentality that helped us win the last four games.”
