Two penalties from Jordi Gomez were enough to give Sunderland a vital 2-1 win over Southampton at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.
Having dropped into the relegation zone last week, a win was crucial for the survival hopes of the Black Cats, and spot kicks either side of half time ensured a second victory under manager Dick Advocaat.
Sadio Mane had equalised for Southampton following a defensive mix-up, but the Saints' hopes of getting something out of the game were dealt a blow when James Ward-Prowse was sent off while conceding the second of the two penalties.
Below, Sports Mole dissects the key incidents from the match.
Match statistics
SUNDERLAND
Shots: 12
On target: 6
Possession: 44%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 12
SOUTHAMPTON
Shots: 11
On target: 2
Possession: 56%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 13
Was the result fair?
Despite needing two penalties to win the match, Sunderland deserved their victory. The team worked extremely hard for the win, and they knew what was at stake. Southampton did not produce the type of display that everyone has become accustomed to this season, with their season pretty much over as their Champions League hopes are.
Sunderland's performance
Their work rate was superb, with everybody willing to run and fight for the cause. After a slow start, they grew into the match and took the lead, but quickly let it slip. Crucially, their heads did not drop despite that setback, and they got their reward via the second penalty, coupled with Ward-Prowse's dismissal. They remained in relative control for the remainder of the game, although Costel Pantilimon was required to make a stoppage-time save to preserve the three points.
Southampton's performance
Ronald Koeman's men were disappointing today, producing a polar-opposite display to their 8-0 thrashing of Sunderland when the teams last met. They lacked pace up front, supported only by a lacklustre midfield missing Morgan Schneiderlin. Even full-backs Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand - usually full of zest and energy - were poor, which is hardly ever the case. It hardly matters, but Koeman will not want standards to slip just yet.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Danny Graham:
Perhaps his best performance in a Sunderland shirt. The striker worked his socks off, both with and without the ball. Having won the first penalty when he was fouled, Graham's hold-up play was vital to winning the second one too. His game still lacks goals, but he displayed excellent effort.
Biggest gaffe
Having taken the lead, Sunderland promptly gave it up straight away thanks to a blunder from Sebastian Coates. As Jose Fonte pumped a hopeful ball forward, the defender clattered into Pantilimon, who looked in charge to catch the ball. Instead, it was knocked from his grasp, presenting Mane with the simplest of tap ins. When you are fighting for your lives at the bottom, you cannot afford to make such mistakes. Thankfully for Coates, his side managed to regain the lead.
Referee performance
Mike Jones had an interesting day. In fairness, both penalties that he awarded were spot kicks, but the decision to send Ward-Prowse off was a harsh one. Jermain Defoe's touch was a really poor, diverting the ball into the path of the midfielder. In no way did Ward-Prowse's direction alter, which meant that he was helpless as Defoe cut across. It was perhaps a booking at most.
What next?
Sunderland:
Four games left for the Black Cats, the next of which is away at Everton next Saturday lunchtime.
Southampton:
The Saints visit another relegation-threatened side with their next clash away at in-form Leicester City next weekend.
Joe McPhee
