Report and pics of West Brom 2 Sunderland 2

Saido Berahino's brace was not enough to give boss Alan Irvine a winning start at West Brom as Sebastian Larsson snatched a late point for Sunderland.

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Berahino struck a goal in each half – the first from a penalty – to cancel out Lee Cattermole's brilliant opener on five minutes.

But Larsson finished from close range with five minutes remaining to earn the visitors a draw.

The Baggies could have led in the opening moments when Graham Dorrans fed Saido Berahino but Patrick van Aanholt made a crucial saving challenge.

And the visitors were ahead on five minutes when Albion left Wes Brown unmarked to head a Larsson free-kick across goal and then failed to clear properly.

The ball fell to Cattermole 20 yards out and he bent a brilliant shot past Ben Foster into the top corner.

Berahino blasted into the side netting for the Baggies after a neat exchange between Craig Gardner and Victor Anichebe.

And Chris Brunt blasted a long-range effort narrowly wide nine minutes before the interval.

But in between Sunderland should have doubled their lead when Valentin Roberge was given a free header from another Larsson free-kick and he sent his effort just off target.

Gardner saw a powerful long-range effort pushed over the bar by Sunderland keeper Vito Mannone as half-time approached.

And that was the prelude to the Baggies equaliser, as Gardner fed Anichebe and the striker was pulled to the ground by Roberge, with Berahino side-footing the resulting penalty home three minutes before the interval.

Albion had a goal ruled out early in the second half when Craig Dawson forced a header over the line only for Saido Berahino to be penalised for a foul on Mannone.

And then the visitors had their own goal chalked off when Steven Fletcher headed home from a flick-on by Brown, only to see and offside flag raised.

Albion went ahead on with 16 minutes remaining when Gardner picked up the rebound after Mannone parried Dorrans' shot and his cross was forced in from close range by Berahino.

But they were pegged back with five minutes remaining when Van Aanholt crossed from the left and the Baggies switched off again, allowing Larsson to arrive unmarked to side-foot home.