Sunderland more than justified their growing reputation as one of this season's toughest Premier League opponents by grinding out a goalless draw at Brighton that owed much to defensive discipline and sharp goalkeeping at both ends. In the first top-flight meeting between the clubs, Omar Alderete's thumping header and Yasin Ayari's flurry of late chances bookended a contest that produced tension and frustration rather than goals.
Régis Le Bris's promoted side arrived on the south coast without five Africa Cup of Nations call-ups yet left with a point that keeps them fifth on 27 points from 17 games and three clear of Brighton in the table. For Fabian Hürzeler and a home crowd who greeted the final whistle with groans and a smattering of boos, this fourth game without a win extended Albion's barren December to 10 matches across the past two seasons and left them ninth, nine points adrift of third-placed Aston Villa having begun the month just two behind.
AFCON-Depleted Sunderland Rise to the Occasion
The narrative before kick-off centred on how Sunderland would cope without Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi, Reinildo Mandava, Bertrand Traoré and Arthur Masuaku, all away at the Africa Cup of Nations after playing key roles in last weekend's derby victory over Newcastle. Le Bris had insisted he was 'not worried' about the disruption, and his reshaped XI – with Lutsharel Geertruida, teenager Chris Rigg, Trai Hume and former Brighton winger Simon Adingra all drafted in – quickly showed why their manager has such faith.