Sunderland AFC defeated West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
An evenly contested opening 45 minutes sparked into life when Brandon Thomas-Asante was sent off moments before the interval.
The Black Cats wasted no time and immediately punished the 10-man Baggies, Pierre Ekwah volleying home an excellent first-time finish on the stroke of half time.
Carlos Corberán’s side were unable to provide a response after the restart and Sunderland returned home with three points, earning their fifth clean sheet in six games.
Mike Dodds named an unchanged side for the match-up, as Timothée Pembélé retained his place and the Frenchman made his second start for the Club.
Conor Townsend, Alex Mowatt, Nathaniel Chalobah and Grady Diangana returned for the home side, who named former Black Cat Yann M’Vila on the bench.
Chances were few and far between in the opening 20 minutes, with Mowatt firing over before Chalobah forced Anthony Patterson into action for the first time.
The Sunderland stopper remained comfortable throughout the opening period, which ended with a flurry of action when Brandon Thomas-Asante collected two cautions in quick succession.
Within four minutes of the red card and with mere seconds of the half remaining, Ekwah volleyed home to send the Lads into a 1-0 lead.
Dan Neil almost doubled the advantage on the hour mark and substitute Patrick Roberts went even closer, with John Swift firing warning shot just wide at the other end.
Four minutes of additional time were indicated at the end of the game, but the Black Cats remained composed to ensure an uneventful finale and return to Wearside with three points.
West Bromwich Albion: Palmer, Furlong, Kipre, Bartley (Ajayi 45), Townsend (Phillips 67), Chalobah (Reach 45), Mowatt, Johnston (Swift 62), Fellows, Diangana (Wallace 61), Thomas-Asante.
Subs not used: Griffiths, Weimann, M’Vila, Yokuslu.
Sunderland AFC: Patterson, Pembele (Alese 71), Hume, O’Nien, Ballard, Styles, Neil, Ekwah, Rigg (Roberts 71), Clarke (Ba 90), Jobe.
Subs not used: Bishop, Mundle, Aouchiche, Dack, Hemir, Burstow.