Patrick van Aanholt gives Sunderland 1-1 draw vs Bournemouth

SUNDERLAND: Patrick van Aanholt rescued Sunderland against Bournemouth on Saturday, clinching a 1-1 draw for his relegation-threatened team.

Sunderland turned in an awful first-half display, but was trailing only by Benik Afobe's 13th-minute goal when Van Aanholt levelled in stoppage time before the break to set up a frenzied, but ultimately fruitless, second 45 minutes.

After five wins and 10 defeats, Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce was at least able to console himself with some tangible reward on a day when his team for too long failed to reach the standard they set in victory over fellow strugglers Aston Villa and Swansea.

Bournemouth is four points above the relegation zone, while Sunderland in next-from-bottom.