Sunderland have succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Southampton in Saturday's Premier League clash at the Stadium of Light.
Neither side could break the deadlock in the first half as Sam Allardyce's charges lined up defensively and repelled their opponents' plentiful attacks.
The Saints, however, were given the chance to score from the spot when Yann M'Vila brought Ryan Bertrand down in the Black Cats' box, prompting the referee to award the visitors a penalty.
Dusan Tadic duly planted his ball into the back of the net, with Ronald Koeman's charges going on to see the game out and secure all three points to leave them seventh in the table, while the hosts remain second from bottom.
Here is how Sports Mole covered the action in Wearside.
Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live match commentary of the Premier League clash between Sunderland and Southampton!
Come 3pm, the Stadium of Light will host two sides in contrasting form. The Black Cats find themselves in the midst of yet another relegation battle, while the Saints are riding high in the top half of the table.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS: Sunderland midfielder Duncan Watmore is drafted in for his first Black Cats start in the Premier League.
Team news filtering through, here they come...
SUNDERLAND STARTING XI: Pantilimon, Jones, Kaboul, Coates, Yedlin, M'Vila, Gomez, Toivonen, Johnson, Watmore, Fletcher
SOUTHAMPTON STARTING XI: Stekelenburg, Yoshida, Fonte, van Dijk, Bertrand, Ward-Prowse, Clasie, S. Davis, Mane, Tadic, Pelle
SUNDERLAND SUBS: Mannone, van Aanholt, Brown, Rodwell, Borini, Lens, Defoe
SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: K. Davis, Cedric, Romeu, Martina, Juanmi, Caulker, Seager
So we have four changes for Sunderland today following their a devastating 6-2 defeat at Everton last weekend. Younes Kaboul, Jordi Gomez, the aforementioned Watmore and Ola Toivonen are drafted into Sam Allardyce's starting XI in place of the benched Patrick van Aanholt, Wes Brown and Jermain Defoe, as well as the injured Lee Cattermole.
Two changes for Ronald Koeman's side, meanwhile, as Maya Yoshida and James Ward-Prowse line up to start in place of Cedric, who drops to the bench, and the suspended Victor Wanyama.
Another point to mention for Sunderland is that John O'Shea misses out after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury picked up against Newcastle United.
So a bit more about Duncan Watmore. The 21-year-old midfielder began his footballing days at Manchester United before being released at the age of 12. He then moved to Altrincham and shot his way back up the football pyramid to Sunderland through a loan spell at Northern Premier League Division One North outfit Clitheroe.
After linking up with the Black Cats in 2013 he continued to learn his ropes, went on loan to Hibernian in 2014 and impressed at international level, being voted the Revelation of the Tournament at the Toulon Tournament with England's Under-20s and the Under-21 Premier League Player of the Season.
And if that wasn't enough, he also has a first-class degree in economics and business management. An impressive CV all round.
He will need to be at his best and pull something out of the hat to help his side to a result today though, because things are not going too well for Allardyce's side.
The Black Cats come into this match off the back of a heavy 6-2 defeat to Everton last time out, despite having been level with the Toffees early in the second half at Goodison Park.
They had been boosted by their first win of the season the match before, cruising to a 3-0 win over Newcastle United in the Tyne-Wear derby, but last week's defeat keeps the club in the relegation zone, two points from safety.
The team have lost five of their last seven matches in the Premier League, picking up just four points over the same stretch, with just one win from their last nine in all competitions.
Their loss to Everton leaves them with the worst defence in the top flight, having conceded 25 goals in their 11 outings so far, while keeping just one clean sheet.
Allardyce, who is still getting to know his new team after taking over from Dick Advocaat last month, has admitted that he is worried about defence, while claiming that a lack of understanding was to blame for last week's collapse against Everton.
On the plus side, Sunderland will be happy to be back on home soil this week, having been beaten just twice in their five fixtures at the Stadium of Light so far, compared with five defeats in six games away from home.
Moving on to the visitors, Southampton are in strong form, having secured three wins from an unbeaten five-match run in the Premier League which puts left the team seventh in the table.
They beat South Coast rivals Bournemouth 2-0 last weekend, with Steven Davis and Graziano Pelle on the scoresheet for the Saints, just a couple of days after the team booked their place in the quarter-finals of the League Cup with a win over Aston Villa.
The Saints have been solid if somewhat unspectacular away from home this season, having drawn four of their five fixtures away from St Mary's. They're are still unbeaten away, but their only win came over struggling champions Chelsea - not something we would have said at the start of the season, "only", but nevertheless, it seems like everybody's pilfering points off the fallen champions!
Duncan Watmore, shown in this image as a nondescript speck (we'll take the club's identification of him as read) taking some time to contemplate how to do the business for Sunderland against Southampton. And let's face it, he looks like he means business! ...I'll get me coat.
SNAPSHOT: Duncan Watmore takes a moment to reflect ahead of his first @premierleague start. pic.twitter.com/ha61zzODzK
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) November 7, 2015
While we're on the subject of added media content, you can watch Sports Mole's video match preview, where our resident pundits Barney and Pascal discuss this afternoon's game. With 25 minutes to go, take some time to check them out!
If you'd prefer a preview in audio form, we're only too happy to oblige. Here you go!
BREAKING NEWS: In the weekend's other North-East versus South Coast clash, Newcastle United have climbed out of the Premier League's bottom three after a 1-0 win over Bournemouth, who slip into the drop zone as a result.
Let's read what both managers have had to say ahead of today's fixture. Up first is Allardyce: "We have got to learn the lessons of going gung-ho. That's what we did (in last week's 6-2 defeat at Everton) - we said, we'll go and win it, and we've got to be more responsible. We're not in a position where we have to win our next game - we are more in a position where we must not lose it. If we get a point then we should respect it, because another point after that will eventually lead to a win and that breeds confidence. If you continue to go for a win and end up losing, then you're in a pickle."
Now for Koeman: "We know that Sunderland is struggling, it's difficult. They had a big loss last week and they will react. They play at home, they need points and for them it's a difficult situation and that's sometimes for an opponent a dangerous one. (But) we are strong defending, we are very strong in defending set-pieces and we have people in front who can score and who can create chances to win the game."
HEAD TO HEAD: Good news and bad news for Sunderland. Good news first - they have lost only one of their last 10 league and cup meetings against Southampton. Bad news - that was their Premier League record 8-0 defeat at St Mary's last season.
When the sides met at the Stadium of Light last season, Sunderland clinched a 2-1 win after James Ward-Prowse was sent off for the visitors, resulting in Jordi Gomez scoring twice from the penalty spot.
This weekend's visitors just edge the overall head-to-head record, with 17 wins from their 40 previous meetings with Sunderland, while the Black Cats have 13 wins and 10 matches have been drawn, including four of the last 10.
Now for some stats about Sunderland - they have won only once in their last 14 Premier League games, have conceded 25, kept just one clean sheet, and have allowed their opponents 69 shots on target against them this season, more than any other team.
On a positive note, the Black Cats have scored five goals in three games under Allardyce. They had only scored eight in eight games before he arrived.
Time to mull over Southampton's stat snippets now - unbeaten in five league games, boasting an unbeaten away league record this season (but having won just one of their last 12 on their travels), and scorers of a league-high six headed goals this campaign.
PREDICTION: Not long to go now until the action starts on the pitch, so it's time for me to have a stab at a result. I reckon that Sunderland may get something today; they will have learned lessons from last week's defeat at Everton, and are generally a stronger proposition on their own patch, while Southampton aren't too hot away from home (Graziano Pelle has only scored three out of his 18 PL goals on his travels) - so I reckon it'll be 1-1.
The teams are making their way out of the tunnel.
Now for a minute's silence in honour of those who lost their lives in conflict, a day before Remembrance Sunday.
KICKOFF! Sunderland's Adam Johnson and Jordi Gomez get us under way at the Stadium of Light.
The hosts with the first attacking foray as they pump a ball forward and immediately win a corner, which Kaboul leaps to head at goal but fails to connect properly, the ball looping into the hands of Stekelenburg.
Southampton respond with a good spell of possession but Watmore manages to claim the ball, drive forward 40 yards and win a throw in for his side by the corner flag.
Good reaction from the home crowd as they cheer Watmore's efforts. He's quickly making a mark on the game in his first PL start, thanks to his mazy runs and endeavour.
M'Vila has a chance to send a testing delivery into the Saints penalty area from 35 yards, but his connection is poor and the ball sails out for a goal kick.
Clasie finds Tadic with a pinpoint ball over the top down the left, but the latter had just strayed into an offside position.
Once again Clasie is allowed space and time to head forward - he opts to let rip with an ambitious long-range strike, but the ball flies just over Pantilimon's bar. Not a bad shot from around 35 yards out in all fairness.
CHANCE! Yet again Sunderland aren't on the ball defensively speaking, Tadic being given far too much room on the left, and following two attempts at a cross, Mane latches onto the second one, but rifles a shot well wide of the far post from a tight angle.
BOOKING: Mane receives a yellow card for bringing down Billy Jones as the latter charged down the left.
Mane will need to be careful now. He is crucial to his team, having been involved in seven goals in his last eight Premier League matches.
Johnson whips a dangerous ball from the left flank into the six-yard box which is well gathered by Stekelenburg with Fletcher lurking.
CHANCE! Tadic flicks on a long ball forward and latches onto a clever return backheel from Pelle, but Pantilimon spreads himself and keeps the ensuing effort out.
CHANCE! Van Dijk brings the ball out of defence and charges forward to within 35 yards of goal, where he opts to go for glory with a long-range rocket - but instead finds just disappointment as the ball bothers the stands behind the goal.
CHANCE! Tadic's cross deflects across for an unmarked Mane to unleash a powerful first-time strike that Pantilimon beats away. Great reflexes from the big keeper.
A foray forward from Sunderland now as Watmore makes a clever run in behind Yoshida and is set up by Johnson, but once on the byline his touch lets him down and he runs the ball over the dead-ball line.
CHANCE! Despite the odd push forward from Sunderland, it is pretty much all Southampton. Yoshida's cross takes a deflection and ends up to Ward-Prowse about 15 yards out but Gomez charges down his effort, before it drops to Pelle who fluffs it by flicking the ball into the arms of Pantilimon.
Yedlin dispossesses Bertrand in the centre of the park before marauding through the Saints defence, but the opposition holds firm and the opportunity comes to nothing. A brief moment of hope for Sunderland though, as they're second best at the minute.
M'Vila leads a counter and finds Toivonen, who attempts to shoot from 25 yards but makes a complete hash of the effort, shanking it way off target into the corner flag. Sunderland's first chance and they will hope they can improve on that.
At the other end Mane looks to dart into the penalty area, but Sunderland have enough men back to nullify the move. It's all gotten a bit scrappy now.
Jones looks to get in behind the Southampton defence and latch onto a long crossfield pass over the top, but he is ruled offside by the assistant. That one could be subject to scrutiny.
Little to report from the Stadium of Light. Sunderland are defending very narrowly and snuffing out the potential threat from Tadic and Mane - Van Dijk plays the ball forward from defence and gets it to Tadic who crosses, but Kaboul heads it away. Not long till the break now and it's a bit of a stalemate.
Bertrand clatters into Fletcher and earns Sunderland a free kick, which Johnson sends into the box. Saints struggle to clear at first but Van Dijk eventually blocks the ball from six yards out and gets it away.
BOOKING: Johnson is booked for holding back Mane as Saints looked to counter.
HALF TIME: SUNDERLAND 0-0 SOUTHAMPTON
The half-time whistle is blown and both sides go back into the dressing rooms with the score locked at nil-nil. Sunderland have defended in numbers and successfully repelled the Saints back, with Allardyce seemingly eager to shut up shop for the sake of earning a draw, or possibly to use a goalless draw at half time from which to launch a second-half assault.
Saints have dominated proceedings at the Stadium of Light and, though I wouldn't quite go as far as to say that they deserve to be in the lead, they are the ones most likely to get a win today. Dusan Tadic and Sadio Mane have both had efforts well saved by Costel Pantilimon during the opening 45 minutes.
With so much effort devoted to defence, Sunderland were a bit flat in attack. Ola Toivonen's shot, his side's first and one of just two - on or off target - this afternoon, was truly poor. Hit with the outside of his foot, it curled away from goal and into the corner flag.
Billy Jones's aborted drive forward on 36 minutes is subject to controversy, as it didn't really look offside despite it being snuffed out by the whistle - could that prove crucial come the final whistle?
KICKOFF: Back underway at the Stadium of Light. Fabio Borini is on for Sunderland in place of Ola Toivonen.
A long throw into the box loops high into the air where Borini latches on from a tight angle, but he scuffs his volley. Good intent from the hosts.
M'Vila gifts Southampton a corner, which is worked short as they try to look for a low cross towards Tadic in the box, but Kaboul is able to clear.
A poor cross from Jones is misjudged by Yoshida, with the ball dropping to Johnson about 20 yards out. He tries his luck with a left-footed half-volley but, as has been the case numerous times this afternoon, it's so far off target that it's nearly a throw-in.
CHANCE! Some space suddenly opens up in front of Mane, who takes his chance quickly with a snapped effort, but Pantilimon stands tall and punches the ball clear.
CHANCE! It's burst into life here as Tadic's cross is headed cleared by Kaboul but only as far as Mane, whose shot is blocked before Jones throws himself in the way of Pelle's attempted volley.
OFF THE LINE! Another gilt-edged chance as Ward-Prowse whips in a pinpoint corner which Fonte nods goalwards, but Yedlin makes a brave and crucial diving header to keep the effort out. He receives a knock and needs treatment, but is fine.
OFF THE LINE! Southampton edging ever closer to the opener but Sunderland once again keep the ball out by a matter of inches! Moments after Watmore fired into the keeper's hands, the visitors launch forward and Tadic's cross falls to Davis, whose low drive looks certain to ripple in the back of the net - but Coates is on hand to clear off the line!
Saints keep threatening from set pieces courtesy of their height advantage. Van Dijk tries to rise above Jones, who was grabbing his shirt, in the area but the Sunderland man just does enough to clear.
PENALTY TO SOUTHAMPTON!
M'Vila dives in on Bertrand and Southampton have a penalty. A needless tackle as the Saints man was heading out of the box. Tadic to take...
GOAL! SUNDERLAND 0-1 SOUTHAMPTON (DUSAN TADIC)
Tadic strides up confidently and whips the ball into the corner past Pantilimon to give Southampton the breakthrough. Allardyce's reaction says it all - M'Vila could well have cost his side the game.
SUBSTITUTION: Sunderland take Steven Fletcher off, to be replaced with Jack Rodwell.
CHANCE! Sunderland have been jolted into life as Borini hits a powerful half-volley from a tight angle that forces Stekelenburg into a flying save.
CHANCE! And here come the Black Cats again as they win a free kick 25 yards out - Johnson stands over the ball and lashes his delivery just over the crossbar.
SUBSTITUTION: Jordi Gomez comes off in place of Jermain Defoe as Allardyce tries to buffer up his attack.
BOOKING: Bertrand is booked for stopping Sunderland from taking a quick free kick.
SUBSTITUTION: Southampton make their first change of the afternoon as Jordy Clasie makes way for Oriol Romeu.
You can sense the frustration here at the Stadium of Light as Southampton attempt to take the sting out of the game and keep Sunderland at bay.
SUBSTITUTION: Another change for Southampton as Sadio Mane makes way for Juanmi.
Ward-Prowse finds space on the edge of the hosts' area but his shot goes over the bar. From the restart, Sunderland surge upfield through Yedlin and win a corner.
PENALTY SHOUT! Johnson whips the delivery into the area, Rodwell wins the header but the back of Yoshida's arm makes contact with the ball. Shouts of "handball" fill the stands but the referee waves the appeals away.
An increasingly desperate Sunderland have reverted to long ball in a bid to get something from this game, but Van Dijk and Fonte are keeping everything out of the box.
CHANCE! Tense times for both fans as Borini lashes a fierce volley from outside the box towards goal, but sails past the post.
The assistant referee signals five minutes of added time. Five minutes for Saints to hold on, or five minutes for Sunderland to get something from the game.
BOOKING: Pelle goes into the book for pulling back Rodwell.
SUBSTITUTION: Dusan Tadic, Southampton's goalscorer and potentially the matchwinner, is taken off in place of Steven Caulker to help see the game out.
Pelle retrieves the ball on the edge of his own penalty box before helping his side up the pitch by holding three defenders off and forcing a corner for his side. Good play from the Italian.
FULL TIME: SUNDERLAND 0-1 SOUTHAMPTON
The referee blows the whistle and Southampton celebrate a gutsy, narrow win over unlucky Sunderland. Sam Allardyce had his team lined up superbly to repel the visitors for the majority of the game, but a moment of madness saw Yann M'Vila launch into a totally needless tackle on Ryan Bertrand in the box to gift Saints a penalty, which Dusan Tadic duly converted for the breakthrough and, as it turned out, all three points.
It's as you were in the Premier League table, with Sunderland second from bottom and Southampton in seventh place, but the Black Cats now sit four points from safety, while Saints have built up a three-point lead between themselves and eighth-placed Everton.
Well, that's all we have time for here, but stay with Sports Mole as we bring you all the latest match reports - here is the one from this game - and reaction from the day's big matches. Thanks for following me and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte
