Sunderland have taken a step closer to securing their place in the Premier League for another season, having taken a 2-0 lead into half time in their match against West Bromwich Albion this evening.

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Fabio Borini came close to opening the scoring just eight minutes into the tie after cutting inside before looking for the top corner, but Ben Foster made the save.

The hosts did manage to break the deadlock shortly after though, as Jack Colback timed his run to strike the ball first time from a Marcos Alonso cross.

Colback almost set up a second before the half-hour mark when he picked out the in-form Connor Wickham, but he could only blast the ball over.

However, Sunderland did manage to double their advantage in the 31st minute, with Borini volleying the ball past Foster.

A spill from the goalkeeper almost let the Black Cats add a third a couple of minutes later, but he managed to reclaim the ball to prevent Sunderland extending their lead further.