The Black Cats dominated possession in the first half but couldn’t find a breakthrough against the compact visitors.
Blackpool posed more of a threat after the interval, especially from set-pieces, yet neither side could find a winning goal.
Sunderland also used all five substitutes and handed a debut to new signing Edouard Michut.
Our Sunderland writer Phil Smith has dished out his player ratings from the match:
![An excellent spell of goalkeeping at the start of the second half prevented his side from falling behind in the game, and showed good handling in tricky conditions. 8](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmU3MDFhNjc3LTM1ODUtNDg0Mi05ZDk1LTU0ZjJlNGM2YTZhODo2MWZiZjUyZS0yNjkzLTRkNTItOWZkYi03ZGQzMDhlMWY3ZjI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Anthony Patterson - 8
An excellent spell of goalkeeping at the start of the second half prevented his side from falling behind in the game, and showed good handling in tricky conditions. 8 Photo: Martin Swinney
![Was frustrated by a few soft fouls given against him early on but was tenacious in the second. 6](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjUxYWJiMTA2LTQ2YWQtNDdhNS1iNzY0LWExODA4ZDU1YTM4Zjo5NzE3NzM5NC0zNjNhLTQ4MjAtYjdkZC01ZjJiZjEzOTgyNmM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Lynden Gooch - 6
Was frustrated by a few soft fouls given against him early on but was tenacious in the second. 6 Photo: Frank Reid
![Had another really solid game and made some big interventions in the second half when Blackpool applied a lot of pressure at times. Has had a really impressive few weeks. 8](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjgwNmIzNGM1LTg5MzItNDFjMC04MzliLTdjZGU1NzRmNmM4NDpjYzNiOGIzZi00MjQ4LTRhMzgtOTJmMy05MTA4YTdlOGZiM2Q=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Luke O’Nien - 8
Had another really solid game and made some big interventions in the second half when Blackpool applied a lot of pressure at times. Has had a really impressive few weeks. 8 Photo: Frank Reid
![Another very solid showing from the defender, who almost got on the end of one or two set pieces again. 7](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjYyMDg2YWU3LTlkODAtNGRiMy1hYzdkLWU2ZTU3MmI1ZWVlMDplOTlhOTEwMi0zZjc2LTRhY2UtOGY2Yy1hZmYzMmMzMzY3NWY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Danny Batth - 7
Another very solid showing from the defender, who almost got on the end of one or two set pieces again. 7 Photo: Frank Reid