Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion increased the cushion between themselves and the relegation zone by sharing a goalless draw at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.

Black Cats winger Adam Johnson had the ball in the back of the net, but his goal was ruled out for offside.

The visitors had just one shot on target in a match where chances were limited for both sides.

Here, Sports Mole analyses the result to see whether it was reflective of the action.

Match statistics

SUNDERLAND
Shots: 13
On target: 2
Possession: 62%
Corners: 11
Fouls: 11

WEST BROM
Shots: 5
On target: 1
Possession: 38%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 12

Was the result fair?

Sunderland had a goal that could have been awarded chalked off in the first half, so it was not a fair result. Johnson was flagged offside after turning the ball home, but he was level with the last defender when Ricardo Alvarez played the ball in. The home side also looked the brighter going forward, and forced a couple of good saves from Ben Foster, so were definitely unlucky not to come away with the win.

Sunderland's performance

It took Gus Poyet's side a little while to get going, but, once they found their way into the match, they looked the more likely. As well as Johnson's disallowed goal, Connor Wickham and Alvarez came close a couple of times, while Jermain Defoe showed plenty of pace. The defenders were solid at the back to limit the number of chances for the visitors, while John O'Shea and Wes Brown also helped out up front from corners. They were lacking the finishing touch in front of goal, but were the better of the two sides.

West Brom's performance

Tony Pulis's side should have been full of confidence going forward after thrashing West Ham United 4-0 in the FA Cup last weekend, but they lacked urgency on the attack this afternoon, with Saido Berahino and Brown Ideye struggling to find each other, while Chris Brunt's usually-reliable deliveries from set pieces often went astray. Foster made a couple of good saves at the back for the visitors, but was left too open, eventually resulting in a knee injury for the keeper. The team did well getting the ball out from the back and going on the counter-attack, led by Joleon Lescott and Darren Fletcher, but they never really looked like beating Costel Pantilimon.

Sports Mole's man of the match

John O'Shea: The Sunderland captain had to make a few vital clearances and blocks, particularly early on when West Brom were looking sharp. The defender got forward more as the second half progressed, providing a few promising balls into the box, but never shirked his defensive duties. He was unlucky not to turn the ball in as well when he deflected an effort from Wickham wide.

Biggest gaffe

It was a mistake-laden match, but Santiago Vergini's missed header sticks out. The defender had done little to contribute until getting forward for a corner and remaining unmarked before timing his run into the box perfectly for a free header. However, the defender could not get his finish on target, despite bring unchallenged. Had he made good contact, it would have put Foster under pressure in the West Brom goal and could have sealed the points for Sunderland.

Referee performance

It was not the best afternoon for Mike Jones. The referee did not let the game flow early on, and gave a bizarre yellow card to Joleon Lescott, which should either have been a sending off or no foul. His assistant did not do much better, wrongly advising the referee that Johnson was offside in the run up to what turned out to be a disallowed goal.

What next?

Sunderland: The Black Cats face a tricky trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United next Saturday.

West Brom: The Baggies are also back in action next Saturday, when they will host Southampton.