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WBA deal blow to Black Cats

Sunderland - West Bromwich Albion twice came from behind to ease their relegation fears with a 3-2 victory over Sunderland.

Another three points for Roy Hodgson's side has propelled the Baggies into the top half of the table, seven points clear of the drop zone.

But the defeat was another blow for Sunderland, whose season has gone into freefall with seven losses from their last eight games.

The Black Cats, who have not won since a victory over Blackpool in January, are now being sucked into the relegation dogfight, with just six points separating them from the drop.

Sunderland looked to be on the way to halting that dismal run of form when they grabbed the lead on 10 minutes through Nicky Shorey's own goal.

But West Brom levelled through Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie midway through the half.

Sunderland went back in front when Phil Bardsley unleashed a 31st-minute screamer to make it 2-1 but Youssouf Mulumbu restored parity on 54 minutes after a well-worked move.

As the tension mounted, West Brom took the lead on 72 minutes through Paul Scharner, the Austrian international rounding off another flowing attack to preserve the unbeaten start to the Hodgson era.

"It was a very good performance," Hodgson said afterwards. "We conceded early on and played well to get ourselves back in the game.

"Then we went behind again from an incredible strike from Bardsley. I thought the players showed enormous character to come back from that, and I thought we were good value for our 3-2.

"The players are playing with a lot of confidence in their ability where Sunderland have just the opposite," added Hodgson, who nevertheless believes the Black Cats will avoid the drop.

"They're a very good team. Their players haven't got a lot of confidence at the moment, but I'm pretty sure Sunderland will do very well in the remainder of the season. They've got too much character, too much quality and too well organised to be involved in a relegation battle."

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