WBA 2-2 SUN report

As with QPR vs HULL, been seeing some off the none live televise games (in Portugal).
Saw the entire match between coaches Irvine and Poyet, so once again i will give it a go.

West Brom Albion (4-4-1-1):
Foster
Wisdom - Dawson - Olsson - Pocognoli
Berahino - Mulumbu - Gardner (Yacob 84') - Brunt (Baird 77')
Dorrans (Sessegnon 84')
Anichebe

Sunderland (4-1-4-1):
Mannone
Brown (Altidore 81') - O'Shea - Roberge - PVA
Cattermole
A.Johnson (Bucley 73') - Larsson - Rodwell (Gómez 68') - Wickham
Fletcher

Tactics:
Irvine opt for Wisdom and Pocognoli in the full back places. Then a pair of midfields, Mulumbu and Gardner, in the middle of the park giving more freedom to Dorrans. In attack Berahino was fielded on the right, with Anichebe leading the line.
Poyet was coherent with the last couple of games from last season. In defense PVA played the role of Alonso as the most attacking full back, and Brown was shifted to right back role to accommodate, along O´Shea, the left foot of center back Roberge. In midfield Cattermole alone in front of the back four, allowing Larsson (interior right) and Rodwell (interior left) to play in front of him. Attacking wise, Fletcher played as the main striker and Wickham tried to do an impression of Borini aggressive type of game. Tried.
(mid way into 1st half AJ and Wickham exchange positions and maintained through 2nd half)

1st half:
Sunderland, and Cattermole, took full advantage of their first shot on goal. A free-kick from Larsson to the far post, Brown puts in the heart of the area, someone clears it off to the edge, and you know the rest… 2 touches, boom! Great finish.
Then WBA tried to fight back, allowing Pocognoli to fire a couple of shots from considerable distance. Both strong, both wide.
Their best chance came around the half hour mark, Anichebe and Berahino combining and the later blasting a shot nearly on goal.
Sunderland responded almost instantly. Another Larsson's free-kick (this one from the left hand side), and Roberge headers it a whisker wide. Great chance also.
WBA bomb again. Brunt's shot was near. Then it was Gardner with a great shot on target (assisted by Berahino), good save from Vito. It was the fourth shot (in five) from outside the box. Trend?
Almost on the final moments Roberge commits a penalty on Anichebe. A soft one. Berahino (ahead of Brunt and Gardner) took it perfectly.

2nd half:
Sunderland starts strong once again. Left corner from Larsson (once more) and Wisdom mistake in man marking gives license to a great opportunity for Wickham. At the far post, he shots wide from close range.
WBA response its quick. Great run from Dorrans, good lay to Anichebe who rolls to his right shooting wide from a great angle. Tipical from the powerful guy. New #10 by the way!
Sunderland turn once more. Good play between Larsson and AJ assisting Wickham who's shot its deflected wide. Corner from Larsson (left side) flick at 1st post from Brown and Roberge miss's at far post. Another corner, first from the right side, AJ takes it short to Larsson who slips to Cattermole (on a clearly well studied step-piece), who cross's to another header of Brown to the far post where Fletcher converts. Off-side. Correct decision, but nice team play.
Gómez in, AJ briefly returns to the right hand side and Wickham to the opposite flank
Buckley in for AJ….and 2-1 to WBA.
Dorrans shot from outside, good save from Foster…but Gardner its aware and puts a spectacular cross from the left (with his left foot) to the running Berahino. PVA its caught sleeping and the youngster grabs his second with a volley/tap in. Major error from the dutch rookie.
Baird in for Brunt, its time to secure the lead. Dorrans to the left and Gardner int the hole.
Altidore in for Brown. No right back for SUN, all out attack.
Sessegnon and Yacob for Gardner and Dorrans. Sess to the left and Mulumbu in front of Yacob and Baird…2-2.
This time its PVA who does all the work, one-two with Gomez, Berahino looses his man and PVA goes to line to find with a neat pass the late run from Larsson.
Time was coming to an end. Poyet find a defensive balance, Buckley and Altidore occupying the right corridor. A few crosses by WBA but nothing scary.

Notes:
Larsson seems instrumental, set-pieces hogger, can score also from open play and played the full game.
PVA (even with that mistake in the 2nd goal of Berahino) looked very attacking and precise on his delivery from the flank. Good reaction after the error.
Berahino looked in fine form. Prefered spot-kick taker and sharp on his shooting. Very lively thru out the entire game.
Gardner, real surprise here. Hard worker and with a strong and accurate shot from outside. Great assist. Looked like a mini-Rambo.
Pocognoli has shots in his locker. A couple of crosses with good weight and on set-pieces after Brunt's exit. To monitor.

Both teams look very attacking. Let's see if they maintain this positive approach towards the next couple of fixtures.