After a slow start Tony Mowbray’s side fell a goal behind in the 21st minute when Shayne Lavery opened the scoring with a low finish.
Despite hitting the bar through Amad on the stroke of half-time, Sunderland had to wait until midway through the second half to draw level when Ross Stewart headed home.
The visitors then finished the match the stronger of the two sides but couldn’t force a winner, as Blackpool defender Callum Connolly was also sent off after receiving two yellow cards.
Here’s how our Sunderland writer Phil Smith rated the Black Cats players at Bloomfield Road:
5. Trai Hume - 8
One of the best players in a poor first half and continued in that vein after the break, contributing to the equaliser with his now trademark brilliant leap. Going to be hard to leave out on this form. 8 Photo: Frank Reid
6. Dan Neil - 7
One of the more tenacious players in a very poor start to the game from the team. A couple of slack passes early in the second but recovered. Has had a good festive period. 7 Photo: Martin Swinney
7. Edouard Michut - 4
Couldn’t hit the levels from an encouraging full debut against Wigan Athletic. Struggled to move the ball quickly enough and physically wasn’t quite at it. 4 Photo: Frank Reid
8. Jack Clarke - 7
Nothing went right for him in the first half and so it was to his credit that he kept going and turned it around, Blackpool couldn;t cope with him in the second and it contributed to the equaliser. Connolly’s red ultimately felt inevitable. 7 Photo: Martin Swinney