Sunderland secured their first point of the season with a draw at Southampton.
The Black Cats took the lead 80 minutes in after the two skippers collided in the box. Jose Fonte brought down Sunderland’s stand-in captain Jermain Defoe, who made no mistake from the penalty spot.
Jordan Pickford, making his first Premier League start of the season following Vito Mannone’s injury, had a fantastic game. The 22-year-old seemed unbeatable as he parried close to a dozen shots away. However, whilst he was impressive, a late mistake allowed Jay Rodriguez to equalise for the hosts just five minutes from time.
From then on, the Black Cats were on the back foot – sitting too deep and inviting pressure. They held on for a valuable point, which lifts them to 16th in the table, but will feel disappointed not to take all three.
David Moyes’ latest signing Javier Manquillo was very impressive on his début at right back, as was Lamine Kone who returned from injury to start.
Fabio Borini returned from his toe injury to be in the starting lineup, but was taken off just after the hour mark with a groin injury sustained after taking a free kick.
Steven Pienaar once again impressed in the middle of the park, whilst Jack Rodwell continued to look a different player from the frustrating one Sunderland fans have become used to.
Sunderland don’t play again until Everton visit the Stadium of Light a week on Monday, meaning that David Moyes’ main focus for the time being will be the final days of the transfer window. Keep checking Read Sunderland for all of the latest transfer news and rumours.
Southampton Starting XI: Forster, Soares, Fonte (c), van Dijk, Targett, Romeu, Hojbjerg (Ward-Prowse 82), Davis, Tadic (Long 67), Austin (Rodriguez 74), Redmond
Substitutes: McCarthy, Yoshida, Bertrand, Clasie, Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez, Long
Sunderland Starting XI: Pickford, Manquillo, Koné, Djilobodji, van Aanholt, Rodwell, Gooch (Love 77), Pienaar (Lens 67), Januzaj, Borini (Watmore 64), Defoe (c)
Substitutes: Stryjek, Love, McNair, Khazri, Lens, Watmore, Asoro
Goals: Defoe (80 p), Rodriguez (85)
Bookings: Redmond (29, Dissent), Davis (47, Foul Play), Pienaar (65, Foul Play), Rodwell (90+1, Foul Play)
Attendance: 30,152
