Sunderland sank back to the bottom of the Premier League table as their miserable away form continued against West Brom at The Hawthorns.
Goals from Darren Fletcher and Chris Brunt saw the Baggies return to winning ways following defeats to Derby, in the FA Cup, and Tottenham as the 2-0 victory kept them in the frame as contenders for European football next season.
Sunderland, suffering with absences through injury and players away at the African Nations Cup, have now lost nine of their 11 away matches in the league, scoring just six goals.
David Moyes' men began the game bottom of the standings after Swansea's surprise 3-2 success at Liverpool earlier in the day but controlled possession early on and looked assured enough, even if they failed to trouble Ben Foster in the home goal.