At the third time of asking Sunderland have managed to register a point on the board thanks to a whole lot better performance at home to Swansea City.
Jermain Defoe was on target for the Black Cats to level the scores after Bafetimbi Gomis gave Swansea a first half lead, and the team as a whole put on a spirited display, especially in comparison to those previously seen this season.
So, how did each player fair individually?
Starting XI
Costel Pantilimon - 8
We start off with the best in these ratings as goalkeeper Pantillimon effectively secured this draw on his own thanks to a string of top quality saves, and one especially world class one, to restrict Swansea to just the one goal.
The big Romanian certainly had a bit of luck on his side as Andre Ayew missed two great headed chances at the start of the second half, hitting the post and missing the target altogether from point blank range, but the former Manchester City stopper was on top form throughout, beating away a powerful Jonjo Shelvey effort from the edge of the box high to his right in stoppage time before, just a few seconds later, getting down well to tip Gylfi Sigurdsson's shot round the post.
The best was certainly saved until last though as, after good work down the left from Jefferson Montero, Pantilimon had to leap across goal to deny Gomis a certain second by clawing his header away with his left hand when the ball was effectively behind him.
Billy Jones - 6
The right back has been one of those targeted for criticism in the two previous games, but he clearly listened to Dick Advocaat's words earlier in the week about the full backs needing to focus on just defending. Jones certainly did his best to stick to this plan against one of the inform players in the league right now in Montero, but was still caught out at times, whilst he also seemed to lack the confidence to get forward.
John O'Shea - 7
It's amazing what one man's presence can do for a unit of players and veteran O'Shea certainly had this effect on the players around him as he filled in for the injured Younes Kaboul. The Republic of Ireland international did not have a spectacular game but he did the basics right and helped the back four look a slightly better organised as a whole.
Sebastian Coates - 6
The former Liverpool defender is somewhat still a work in progress for the Sunderland fans and, if it wasn't for Kaboul's injury, it could well have been him that was dropped for this game as he was equally as bad in the first two weeks. The Uruguayan could have certainly got across to Gomis quicker for the goal but, alongside a more familiar face in O'Shea, he looked a little more steady.
Patrick van Aanholt - 5
This was probably van Aanholt's best game of the season but that really is not saying much as he was awful in the first two compared to just barely average in this game. The Dutchman could honestly do with some training on positioning as a full back as time after time he was caught up field again, this being most apparent for the goal where he was trying to press the ball in the centre of the field, allowing Kyle Naughton to run into the vacated space and provide an assist.
Lee Cattermole - 6
It was a similar story for Cattermole on Saturday, who has been up there with Sunderland's worst players in the first two games. However, he got his head down and got back to basics through most of this one - and that was despite picking up an early booking. Having someone like Yann M'Vila alongside him is a massive help though as he is a confident option to give the ball to quickly.
Yann M'Vila - 7
The Frenchman was outstanding in this game, and in such a simple way by barely ever giving the ball away when he was on it and stopping most threats from Swansea down the middle of the pitch. M'Vila certainly brings a lot to this team with his hard man persona as a player, with controlled aggression, but also a good variety of passing. He was a massive part in the equaliser too as he slid in and won the ball inside the Swansea half.
Jack Rodwell - 6
One of the players chairman Ellis Short has certainly splashed the cash on is Rodwell. Sunderland paid £10 million for him just over a year ago, even though he has never looked worthy of this price tag in his time on Wearside so far. He played better than his opening day showing, that's for sure, as he was decent in a tackle and produced a couple of decent efforts on goal.
Jermain Lens - 7
The best performance we've seen by far from the big money Dutch international as he really grew into this one, especially later in the game. Lens is actually up at the top of the Premier League assists chart right now as he has three in as many games, and it was a real defence splitting pass through the middle for Defoe to finish.
There is definitely a lot of expectation for the former Dynamo Kiev man to create things for the team, particularly with there being a lack of attack minded midfielders in the squad right now, and statistically he is performing, while in yesterday's game he gave Swansea's full backs issues as he switched wings.
Danny Graham - 6
The former Swansea man is certainly a player you want to see do well as he works his socks off for the team with the pressure he puts on high up the field. However he simply can't seem to do his job as a striker, which is to score goals. The closest he came in this game was with a speculative bicycle kick which, if not deflected, might have caused Lukasz Fabianski more problems in goal.
Jermain Defoe - 7
After all the talk in the week of him being unhappy with his role in the team and possibly angling a move away, one of the great English goal-scorers was fully professional in his approach as again he was put out wide but he still worked hard for the team both forward and back. Plus, when the chance came, albeit unconvincingly as he did take it with a bit of a scuff which fortunatley wrong footed the goalkeeper, he showed what he can do and bagged the equaliser.
Substitutes
Steven Fletcher - 6
It was a tough game to come on and make an impact in, but Fletcher did okay linking up well with his fellow forward players and if a Lens cross from the left late on was a bit better placed, he could have won it late on for the Black Cats.