Sunderland secured a 1-0 victory against a 10-man West Brom in the Championship match on Saturday. The game took place at The Hawthorns, where Sunderland aimed to disrupt West Brom’s pursuit of a top-six position. Despite West Brom’s strong form, having lost only one of their last 13 matches, Sunderland led 1-0 at halftime. The goal came following Brandon Thomas-Asante’s dismissal after receiving a second yellow card, with Pierre Ekwah scoring just before halftime, marking his fifth goal of the season. The second half saw little action, but Sunderland’s defensive resilience held West Brom at bay, allowing them to clinch an impressive away win.

Sunderland finishing 2023/24 strong

Following their victory over West Brom, Sunderland maintains their 13th position in the Championship standings. This win marks the second triumph over West Brom for Dodds’ team this season, and they’ve only suffered one defeat in their last six matches in the Championship. Impressively, Sunderland has kept five clean sheets in these six games, indicating an upward trend in their performance after a challenging season overall.

Ekwah’s goal deserves commendation despite his relatively subdued performance before the 47th-minute strike. He demonstrated exceptional finishing skills, seizing the opportunity well when it presented itself.

Michael Graham verdict on ‘quality’ Pierre Ekwah goal

Journalist Michael Graham wasted no time in lauding Ekwah’s composed and remarkable goal against West Brom. Ekwah exhibited patience and finesse as he let the ball settle inside the West Brom box. While everyone else shifted in one direction, Ekwah’s subtle touch skillfully redirected the ball in the opposite direction, finding the back of the net. Graham shared his praise for Ekwah’s skillful finish on X.

Pierre Ekwah getting back to his best

Ekwah has undeniably sparked discussions among Sunderland fans throughout this season. Despite starting with promise during his debut season at Sunderland following his transfer from West Ham, he’s faced criticism and even earned the label of the Championship’s most disappointing player this season.

However, standout performances against teams like Bristol City, coupled with his crucial goal today, suggest that Ekwah is gradually rediscovering the form he displayed in the 2022/23 campaign. While there are still concerns about his off-the-ball work rate, Ekwah possesses a diverse skill set with plenty of room for growth and refinement.

When operating at his peak, Ekwah proves to be a formidable force on the field. Looking ahead to next season, whoever takes charge as manager will likely rely on Ekwah to elevate his performance and contribute more goals. His displays this season have demonstrated his ability to be clinical in and around the box.

There’s a palpable feeling that with proper guidance and in the right team setup, Ekwah has the potential to evolve into a top-quality player.