Southampton 1-1 Sunderland: Van Dijk Strikes To Deny Black Cats Victory

Southampton snatched a draw at the death as Vergil Van Dijk struck in added time to deny Sunderland a precious win after Jermain Defoe had put Sunderland in front.

After a quiet start it was Southampton who created the first half chance of the game on 15 minutes. A quick counter attack led to Pelle being handed an opportunity from the edge of the box after Kaboul’s poor header but the Italian scuffed his shot well wide.

The Saints started to up the pressure midway through the half and they had a great chance to open the scoring on 26 minutes through Tadic. Mane swung the ball in for Pelle who nodded down for Tadic but he was denied by a fantastic save from Mannone as the ball was heading into the roof of the net.

Sunderland out of nothing nearly took the lead on 32 minutes after Khazri’s free kick nearly caught Forster out at the far post. Forster was forced to tip the ball onto the post after Khazri’s delivery looked to be dipping into the net.

The Black Cats wasted a golden chance to go in front on 38 minutes after Van Aanholt picked out Rodwell on the penalty spot but the unmarked Englishman skewed his shot wide.

Sunderland had another good chance on 52 minutes after Kaboul’s free kick was nodded down to Borini on the edge of the box but his volley went inches over.

Five minutes later Borini was presented with another chance after he won the ball off Van Dijk and was then played in by M’Vila but Forster got down well to make the save.

Southampton were reduced to ten men on 79 minutes when Borini was hauled down by Fonte before he got into the box and the Southampton defender was shown a straight red. Van Aanholt’s free kick was saved well by Forster high to the right.

Sunderland made the extra man count straight away as Jermain Defoe struck to put the Black Cats in front. Kone held off pressure to play Defoe through and the forward finished well past Forster.

Southampton put the pressure on and Sunderland sat too deep resulting in a Saints equaliser from Van Dijk. The ball was cut back to him and he struck his shot inside the post to hand the Southampton a point.

Southampton: Forster, Martina, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand, Romeu, Clasie (Jaunmi 65’), S. Davis (Ward-Prowse 65’), Mane (Yoshida 82’), Tadic, Pelle.

Subs: Stekelenberg, Yoshida, Cedric, Reed, Ward-Prowse, Jaunmi, Olomola.

Goals: Van Dijk (90+3’)

Red Card: Fonte (79’)

Sunderland (4-3-3): Mannone, Yedlin, Van Aanholt, Kaboul (c), Kone, Kirchhoff (O’Shea 90’), Rodwell, M’Vila, Khazri (Larsson 76’), Borini, N’Doye (Defoe 60’).

Subs: Pickford, Jones, O’Shea, Larsson, Toivonen, Defoe, Mandron.

Goals: Defoe (84’)