Sunderland were left frustrated one again as an extra-time goal from Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk denied Sam Allardyce’s side all three points in a 1-1 draw.
It was end-to-end from both sides but it was the home side who dominated with Ryan Bertrand, Dusan Tadic, Wahbi Khazri, Virgil van Dijk and Oriol Romeu all having opportunities to score in the first 45 minutes but to no avail.
Fabio Borini came close on two occasions for the away side but looked to have sealed the win through Jermain Defoe after Jose Fonte’s dismissal but the Saint’s defender's late strike saw the points shared.
Slow start
It wasn’t a quick-fire start from either with the first opportunity not coming until 11 minutes into the contest.
Khazri brought down Sadio Mane and Bertrand tried the shot from the resulting free-kick, but the tight angle worked against him as it flew over the crossbar.
Ronald Koeman’s side perked up towards the end of the first half and had a great chance to take the lead in the 26th minute. Graziano Pelle did brilliantly to cushion a header down to Tadic who looked certain to score from close-range, yet the Serb’s effort was somehow tipped over the bar by Vito Mannone.
The Black Cats came even closer five minutes after as Khazri tried to catch out Fraser Forster with his set piece, but the England international managed to get back in time to tip the effort onto the crossbar.
Both sides went in search of the opening goal as the half drew to a close with Jack Rodwell coming incredibly close. He was gifted the opportunity from Patrick van Aanholt, but couldn't keep the effort from eight yards out on target.
Saints went straight up the other end through Romeu, as Mannone was on hand once again as he did well to stop the effort at his near post. They appealed for a penalty moments later Tadic’s effort looked to have struck the arm of DeAndre Yedlin but it was judged to be accidental by referee Neil Swarbrick.
The pace of the match didn’t increase as the sides came out for the second period but Sunderland nearly took the lead just after the restart with Borini’s volley from outside the area had Forster beaten, only to just graze the top of the crossbar.
The Italian was at again in the 58th minute as he attempted the effort from the acute angle on the edge of the area but Forster was there once again to save the effort.
Golden opportunity
Sunderland were handed a brilliant opportunity to take all three points with ten minutes of the match remaining, as the hosts were reduced to ten men after Fonte pulled back Borini, who was through on goal.
They eventually took advantage as they took the lead five minutes from time as the ball was laid on a plate for Defoe as Lamine Kone played it across the area and the veteran striker dispatched with ease from six yards.
Cruelly snatched away
Sunderland looked certain to collect a vital three points in their relegation battle but it was snatched away from them in the final minute of extra-time. Tadic had proved a problem all game and was at it again as his perfect cross was met by Van Dijk who made no mistake as swept it home to claim the point.