Whilst the game was slightly closer and better contested by the Black Cats in comparison to previous outings this season, the result was still the same, Sunderland picking up another defeat, this time at the hands of Southampton.
Sam Allardyce's men maintain their position within the relegation zone, four points adrift of local rivals Newcastle United and, following another game which showcased poor decisions and defending, there is still plenty of work to be done, thoughts echoed by Allardyce post-match.
Stupid decisions from his players
Whilst the Saints had plenty of opportunities on goal, the game was ultimately decided with a penalty - a late challenge from Yann M'Villa on Ryan Bertrand leaving the official with no other option than to award a penalty.
Allardyce, who has only picked up one victory out of four since taking over, told Sky Sports that he felt that it was a "stupid penalty" to give away after his defence had "kept them in the game" with some backs to the wall style defending.
Sunderland had dug in throughout the game with goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon producing several crucial saves whilst his team mates were making just as important tackles and blocks, including a goal line clearance from Sebastian Coates.
But Allardyce believes until the team "start cutting out silly mistakes" then they will be stuck "fighting at the wrong end of the table", however that is not going to be a simple task for the club who have conceded the most goals in the league so far this season.
Even though, by Big Sam's own admission, Southampton were the "better team," he was of the belief that had the game remained goalless he would have been "very happy" taking a point down to the "performance [Sunderland] gave."
The new boss will be hoping to work hard at training to eradicate the silly mistakes that are costing his team, but he thinks that his team are "playing with fear" and that it could be a factor to why the performances have not been strong enough.
Poor decisions from the referee
Even though Allardyce was disappointed by the decision making which caused the rash tackle on Bertrand, he was also not pleased with the decision from the officials to not award his side a penalty later in the game.
A header from Jack Rodwell appeared to strike Southampton's Maya Yoshida on the arm, but the referee waved play on and turned down the appeals and frustrations of the Sunderland faithful, both on and off the field.
Allardyce felt that "Yoshida definitely lifted his arm" and therefore it should have been a penalty, which would have provided Sunderland with "an opportunity, whether [they] deserved it or not."
With the difficult and important winter period now just around the corner, results have never counted so much, and the clock is quickly ticking for Allardyce to save the season, but he feels "at the moment, [Sunderland] are not good enough" which is something that must change, quickly.