Sunderland in a slump but Brunt has Baggies believing

West Bromwich Albion 3 Sunderland

Perhaps it is a reflection on those clubs nearest to them, but West Bromwich, who had not won since January – 3-0 against Middlesbrough – have never been utterly stranded despite having had permanent residence in the Premier League's relegation zone since early November.

That proximity is more pertinent now than ever, as this deserved result kept hopes alive, no matter how slim, of avoiding the drop. "We're not definitely down, but it's an almost impossible job," said Tony Mowbray, the Baggies' manager.

The club most in West Bromwich's sights are Blackburn, one place outside the relegation zone, but nine points distant at the start of play. The gap is now a more manageable six, although Rovers play Wigan today and could restore that advantage. Mowbray added: "Beat Tottenham next week – they let you play and give you chances – and you then beat Wigan, make it three wins in a row, and we could be talking about the [2005] Great Escape again."

Of the bottom four, only West Bromwich were in action yesterday and they have put some pressure on Middlesbrough and Newcastle directly above them. A first-half strike from Jonas Olsson, backed up by Chris Brunt's fourth goal in three games, kept up thoughts of a second consecutive season among the elite.

The pressure remains on Sunderland's shoulders too. The third team of the troubled north-east triumvirate started the day only four points clear of 18th place. Ricky Sbragia, the Black Cats' manager, will now be praying Portsmouth draw or beat Newcastle at St James' Park tomorrow night. On the evidence here, they do not deserve such assistance. Sbragia was candid. "We didn't turn up, we had 11 individuals out there. We got what we deserved – nothing."

A defeat for West Bromwich, and a win for Blackburn today and the Baggies would have been all but relegated – 12 points off safety with 12 points left to play for. The hosts played as if they were well aware their fate could have been sealed this weekend. Always the more adventurous and strangely the more confident looking team, they did not create a surfeit of chances, but remained in sight of Martin Fulop's goal.

The central defenders combined for the opening goal from a corner taken by Jonathan Greening four minutes before the interval. Abdoulaye Meite flicked the ball on, it flew inadvertently to Olsson and although the Dane was falling back, his volley squeezed past Fulop.

The second goal arrived from a slightly more predictable source. With almost an hour played, Marc-Antoine Fortune sped away down the right and Brunt, who had broken through the middle unmarked, arrived to slide his shot in from eight yards. The deserved third goal arrived two minutes from time, as Brunt found the substitute Juan Carlos Menseguez, who fired his shot across Fulop.

The visitors were off-key. Djibril Cissé did deflect a shot that came in from long range, but with his back to goal could only divert it over Scott Carson's crossbar from six yards. Carson was called into action before the break, as Kieran Richardson tried his luck with a curling shot from 35 yards, but one former England international denied the other.

A banner was unfurled prior to kick-off, bearing the words: "Gutless Peace out", a reference to the West Bromwich chairman Jeremy Peace. He is not a popular man around The Hawthorns as he refuses to sanction bigger wages and higher transfer fees for players who could possibly keep the Baggies in the Premier League for more than one season. The banner was not in evidence at the final whistle as even those disgruntled fans decided it was time to give Peace a chance.

Attendance: 26,256

Referee: Mark Halsey

Man of the match: Brunt

Match rating: 6/10