Kevin Phillips blasted Sunderland to within touching distance of the Premiership as Peter Reid's side overwhelmed West Brom.

A double from the diminutive striker on 22 and 48 minutes, sandwiching a Lee Clark special, were enough to ensure victory, although the margin could have been even more satisfying but for the efforts of West Brom 'keeper Phil Whitehead.

Even the mist rolling in from the River Wear could not dampen the spirits of the home supporters as their side steamrollered their way to a record-equalling 11th consecutive home League victory.

Sunderland screamed out of the blocks and were unfortunate not to have opened the scoring within minutes.

They forced four corners inside three minutes, and Whitehead was grateful for the assistance of the woodwork as Allan Johnston's first-minute cross almost caught him out.

Striker Niall Quinn thought he should have had a penalty as he appeared to get a push inside the box, but referee George Cain redeemed himself, in the eyes of the home supporters at least, when he allowed play to continue after West Brom's 31-goal Lee Hughes was upended by Paul Butler.

Thomas Sorensen had to be on his toes to keep out Hughes' 15th-minute shot, but his side bounced back to take the game by the scruff of the neck in a dazzling four-minute period.

Phillips' 22nd-minute opener came courtesy of a superb 25-yard finish, and Clark matched his feat four minutes later as he expertly passed the ball into Whitehead's goal from the edge of the penalty area.

Whitehead tipped over a towering Quinn header and then saw Clark shoot into the side-netting as the Wearsiders looked to kill the game off.

Sunderland underlined their superiority within three minutes of the restart when Nicky Summerbee's free-kick found Phillips unmarked at the far post, and although Whitehead got a touch to his header, he could not prevent it from crossing the line.

The former Watford striker was denied a hat-trick by a brave save from the 'keeper after defender Paul Butler headed down Summerbee's 55th-minute corner, and Whitehead had to react smartly to collect Kevin Ball's snap shot six minutes later.

Summerbee was unfortunate to see his 80th-minute shot hit the post after substitute Michael Bridges, Clark and Phillips broke clear, and Phillips squandered a golden opportunity to complete a treble when he pushed his shot wide after Bridges sent him clear.

Teams

Sunderland: Sorensen, Makin, Gray, Ball (Holloway 77), Craddock, Butler, Summerbee, Clark, Quinn (Dichio 60), Phillips, Johnston (Bridges 73).

Goals: Phillips 22, Clark 26, Phillips 48.

West Brom: Whitehead, Gabbidon, Potter, Van Blerk, Murphy, Carbon, Quinn (Angel 41), Sneekes (De Freitas 45), Bortolazzi, Hughes, Kilbane.

Subs Not Used: Holmes.

Att: 41,135

Ref: G Cain (Bootle).