Albion failed to make it four wins on the spin at home after Manchester United's controversial 2-0 at The Hawthorns.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic opened the scoring but was then given a reprieve for an x-rated challenge on Craig Dawson.
Ibrahimovic then scored a second ten minutes after the break when his deflected volley found its way past Ben Foster. Here's what the papers had to say.
A goal in either half from red-hot striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic ensured West Bromwich Albion’s final home game of 2016 ended in defeat.
The former Barcelona and PSG hitman added a 56th minute strike to his early header to open up a seven-point game between the sides.
Ibrahimovic headed home after just five minutes to open the scoring and then struck early in the second half with a shot which deflected in off defender Craig Dawson.
The Baggies, who had won their previous three home games, found chances at a premium, with Chris Brunt registering their only attempt on target.
Albion had netted ten goals during the winning run at home but found United a far tougher nut to crack.
Then came the controversy, with Ibrahimovic fortunate to escape more serious punishment after an ugly collision with Dawson.
There appeared to be no intent to get the ball and Dawson collapsed to the turf but Ibrahimovic was only booked. It felt like a pivotal moment. “Ask the 28,000 supporters what they thought,” said Pulis ruefully after the game.
Any sense of burning injustice only increased 11 minutes into the second half after Ibrahimovic added another goal.
Albion, chasing a fourth straight home win, actually began the brighter but within five minutes had fallen behind. The visitors by this time were already smarting from an ambitious penalty appeal that was waved away by referee Anthony Taylor after Lingard, rather too theatrically, fell on the edge of the penalty area under an outstretched Allan Nyom arm as they chased Marcos Rojo's hopeful punt.
United did not feel aggrieved for long. Paul Pogba passed inside to Antonio Valencia whose long ball down the right sent Lingard clear of Nyom. The striker's cross could not have been placed any better and Ibrahimovic, who had gotten goalside of Gareth McAuley, nodded home a simple 15th goal of a fine season.
Have your say on Albion's defeat here at Baggies Banter.