I just watched Sunderland draw at Brighton - this is what I made of it and who impressed

A late wave of pressure from Brighton means they will undoubtedly leave this game feeling like this should have led to three points, but for Sunderland this was a performance that will give great confidence that AFCON will not lead to a sudden dip in results.

The hosts undoubtedly had the better of the closing exchanges, a tired looking Black Cats side probably lucky to emerge unscathed. They had been so solid in the first half, though, and had some genuinely good chances to take the lead in strong spells either side of the interval.

Régis Le Bris had spoken of his confidence that there were players in his squad ready to step in and replace those who have departed for Morocco this week, and a resolute showing vindicated his belief. This was without question a good point and another step in the right direction.

Though Sunderland came into this game with a significant list of absentees, it's worth noting that so too did the hosts. Only Carlos Baleba was missing due to AFCON, but injury and suspension forced head coach Fabian Hurzeler into an entirely new central defensive pairing. Danny Welbeck was also a significant absence further forward.

The hosts undoubtedly started the better, Sunderland a little edgy in possession as new-look partnerships settled. The visitors came close when De Cuyper whipped in an excellent corner, right back Mats Wieffer connecting well but denied by Robin Roefs high above his head. From those nervy beginnings, Sunderland began to settle into what was an admittedly poor game. Le Bris's decision to deploy Lutsharel Geertruida at the base of midfield alongside Granit Xhaka was almost immediately vindicated, the Netherlands international tidy in possession and good at breaking up the game. Over on the left flank, Simon Adingra was getting his side up the pitch even if clear chances weren't coming. Bart Verbruggen dealt with long-range efforts from Alderete and Le Fee easily enough, but Sunderland would have been pleased with how comfortable they looked into the contest.

There was little to really catch the eye for most of the half, though it did come to life just before the break. Brighton had their best moment of their game when Yankuba Minteh drove to the byline, and put a lovely low cross into the heart of the Sunderland box. De Cuyper was inches away from converting, but the ball ran just away from him. Sunderland responded well, having their best chance when Kadioglu played a pass straight into the path of Ballard who had stayed high after a set piece. The defender was first to the loose ball, but Verbruggen raced off his line and made a top block with his trailing leg. The visitors continued to push, with both Brobbey and Rigg having decent shots at goal before the break.

It had been an uneventful half, but that suited Sunderland just fine.

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Just as they had done last Sunday, Sunderland used a positive start to the second half to cause some havoc from set plays and were unfortunate not to take the lead when Verbruggen made a brilliant save to push Alderete’s close-range header onto the bar.

The game had opened up significantly, the two teams trading long-range efforts as Ayari and Hume wasted half chances from distance. Sunderland could sense that there was something in the game for them and had pushed up to press more aggressively in a man-for-man shape, but the hosts offered a real threat with their speed on the break. It was making for a much more enjoyable contest. After a promising start to the half, Sunderland began to be pushed back and only some wasteful shooting from distance kept Roefs from being pushed into action.

Though a double change from Le Bris brought a pair of good chances for Sunderland, Mundle and Le Fee going close, Brighton began to take control of the game into the final quarter. The Black Cats for the first time looked leggy, and though Mukiele defended impressively against the impressive Kaoru Mitoma, the space was there for the hosts. They had their best chance of the game when Sunderland were opened up down the left, but a clever cutback from sub Kostoulas was blazed over the bar by Ayari.

Brighton continued to apply some late pressure but that was the last real chance of the game, a couple of efforts from range straight at Roefs who handled well. Sunderland looked exhausted at the end, this valuable point very much hard earned.