Evanilson earns Bournemouth point as Sunderland dent Iraola’s Europe bid

For those Sunderland fans making the 700-mile round trip from Wearside, some beginning their journey at midnight, the welcome sight of Granit Xhaka making a first start since 17 January. Could the captain’s return inspire Sunderland out of a slump that began in mid-December? On the south coast, a losing run came to its end as Régis Le Bris’s team got the point a dogged performance deserved.

Patrolling in front of defence, Xhaka maintained constant dialogue with his colleagues, encouraging, directing into position, veering into the territory of player-manager. When Eliezer Mayenda scored the Sunderland goal, Xhaka clenched his fists in triumph, celebrating with Le Bris before heading to the away fans. For Bournemouth, it was a wholly preventable goal, Habib Diarra had been shown inside from Dan Ballard’s pass, and their goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic could only direct the ball into Mayenda’s path.

Bournemouth have still not lost since running Arsenal close on 3 January but can struggle to kill off their opponents. The previous week’s goalless draw at West Ham had forced a rethink in attack, with Evanilson benched. That plan was torn up at half-time, the Brazilian coming on to grab the equaliser, Andoni Iraola’s in-game management coming up trumps.

Sunderland did not start like a team in the doldrums. Noah Sadiki’s shot forced an early save from Petrovic and when Enzo Le Fée was floored by Alex Jiménez, a penalty call looked a possibility. Jarred Gillett waved that away, his judgment of “normal contact” backed by video assistance, to the incredulity of Le Fée. Sunderland’s muscle took a stronghold in those early stages, their twin towers, Ballard and Omar Alderete, overpowered Eli Junior Kroupi while Trai Hume did a decent job of keeping Rayan as quiet as possible.

Another goalkeeping error almost let Bournemouth back in, only for Robin Roefs to recover after he had dropped Marcus Tavernier’s shot. Roefs got luckier yet when, out of his penalty area, he lost possession and collided with Kroupi. That decision went Sunderland’s way, to the audible disgust of Iraola, wanting a straight red. Roefs would have been a profound loss. A series of smart saves were keeping the improved Bournemouth at bay. When Rayan at last got a clear run, his pass from the byline was blazed over by Kroupi for the final action of the half.

David Brooks’ half-time removal brought on Evanilson with Kroupi in the No 10 role. Sunderland might have doubled their lead within seconds of the restart when Diarra barrelled through. This time, Petrovic did far better.

Xhaka was at the centre of a flashpoint when he and Tyler Adams crunched together on the halfway line, the American clattering his opponent’s ankle. Adams escaped a red on the video verdict, though was quickly removed by Iraola as a sending-off waiting to happen. On came Ryan Christie, his first touch playing Tavernier into space for a cross that evaded Sunderland’s defenders, and the equaliser was knocked in by Evanilson’s shoulder.

Roef’s booking for time-wasting marked the shift in momentum in favour of Bournemouth. Xhaka’s departure in the 76th minute left his teammates to try to see the game out. Without him, Sunderland had the ball in the net when Balllard bundled home but Lutsharel Geertruida had strayed offside.

The chase for a winner became frantic, angry even, when Christie and Le Fée were up in each other’s grill as both sets of fans railed at officialdom. Rayan found more space in what turned into 12 minutes of time added on, his shot from the flank coming off Alderete. There were gasps as it deflected wide.