Sunderland 2 West Brom 4: Steve Clarke refusing to get carried away

Steve Clarke played down West Brom’s superb start to the season after the Baggies beat Sunderland to keep their place in the top four.

Zoltan Gera gave West Brom a 30th-minute lead before Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long capitalised on Simon Mignolet’s mistake to double the visitors’ advantage just before half-time.

However, Sunderland fought back, with Craig Gardner scoring a free-kick in the 73rd minute to offer the Black Cats hope before Romelu Lukaku scored from the spot to restore the Baggies’ two-goal cushion.

There was still time for more drama as Stephane Sessegnon reduced the deficit with three minutes remaining, but West Brom substitute Marc-Antoine Fortune sealed a 4-2 win which pushed Clarke’s men into third spot.

“All I know is up until now, we have done very well,” Clarke told Sky Sports.

“We have had a lot of plaudits and the players deserve it because so far, we have been a really good team.

“But you don’t get carried away in the Premier League. We are still this side of Christmas, there are a lot of games to be played, a lot of points to be fought for.

“Our focus is on Wednesday night against Swansea, that’s as far ahead as we look.

“I’m a realist. I knew the squad of players I was taking over was a good squad, I knew it was a squad comfortable in the Premier League.

“They had finished mid-table and mid-table with 47 points both seasons. We knew we had added some good players to the squad. So far, we have done okay.”