Here's how Sunderland's players rated in the 0-0 draw with West Brom:

6 Patterson: Had next to nothing to do all night.

7 O’Nien: Linked up well with Roberts on the right and got forward at every opportunity.

8 Mepham: Brilliant reading of the game to cut out early West Brom counter. Didn’t give West Brom’s attackers much of a sniff all night.

7 Ballard: Booed all night by West Brom fans and gave visiting attack nothing to cheer. Solid and comfortable.

7 Hume: Troubled by Fellows early on but got a grip and was rock solid on unfamiliar side of defence.

6 Neil: Helped Sunderland win midfield battle and swept up when West Brom threatened to counter.

6 Bellingham: Always positive in possession. Started the move that led to Sunderland’s disallowed goal. Had wall of yellow shirts in front.

7 Rigg: Busy in the first half but really came to life after the break, when he went close with one shot that was superbly blocked by Mowatt.

7 Roberts: Lively throughout and came agonisingly close with second half shot that flashed just wide. Just couldn't find that killer pass.

6 Watson: Positive throughout but decision making let him down at times. Had several shots blocked. Never stopped probing against one of the league’s best defences.

6 Isidor: Worked hard on frustrating night against organised West Brom backline. Had goal ruled out by the narrowest of offside margins.

Subs:

6 Alese (for O’Nien, 68): Added energy down the left

6 Mayenda (for Watson, 68): Lively from the bench but couldn’t force breakthrough.

Subs not used: Moore, Rusyn, Aouchiche, Connolly, Aleksic, Hjelde, Johnson

West Brom: Palmer 7; Holgate 7, Barkley 7 (Racic, 46) 7, Heggem 7, Styles 6, Fellows 7, Molumby 6, Mowatt 7, Johnston 6 (Dobbin, 46), Maja 5 (Swift, 79), Grant 5 (Cole, 90)

Subs not used: Wildsmith, Whitwell, Nelson, Frabotta, Wallace

Man of the Match: Mepham. Another excellent and assured display. Regis Le Bris has some difficult defensive decisions on his hands in the coming weeks, but Mepham might well have played his way to the top of the pecking order at centre-half.