The visitors started the game on the front foot and created a very early opportunity when Noah Sadiki’s effort forced Dorde Petrovic into a decent save, shortly before the Black Cats had a strong penalty appeal turned down by the referee.
The hosts gradually worked their way into the match as the first half progressed, and after 12 minutes, Eli Junior Kroupi should have done much better when he dragged a shot from inside the box well wide of the target.
It was Regis Le Bris’s side that made the breakthrough, though, when a lovely team move led to a stinging effort from Habib Diarra that was palmed away by Petrovic, but into the path of Eliezer Mayenda, who stroked the ball into the back of the net, marking his first PL goal since the opening day of the season.
The Cherries responded with urgency, and Robin Roefs was soon needed to produce an impressive double save to keep Sunderland ahead.
Andoni Iraola’s team continued to look dangerous in the final third in their search for an equaliser, and Roefs was once again required to make an important stop to prevent Marcus Tavernier from levelling the game before the interval with a well-struck free-kick.
The break allowed the Black Cats to regroup, and they came desperately close to making the dream start to the second half.
Within two minutes of the restart, Diarra broke free of Bournemouth’s last man and suddenly had just the goalkeeper to beat, but his strike lacked accuracy, and Petrovic was able to make a vital block to keep the hosts in contention.
This proved to be a costly miss, as substitute Evanilson headed home an outstanding cross from Tavernier to equalise in the 64th minute, setting up an intriguing final quarter of the match.
Despite both sides’ best efforts, including a goal for the Black Cats inside the last 10 minutes that was immediately ruled out for offside, a winner could not be found, and a point apiece was probably a fair result.
The Cherries will look to keep their hopes of European qualification on track on Tuesday evening when they host Brentford in the league.
Meanwhile, Sunderland have risen to 11th position and will aim to return to winning ways when they face Leeds at Elland Road on the same night.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Marcus Tavernier (Bournemouth)
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