Full-time: Sunderland 2 Southampton 1

SUNDERLAND secured a Premier League lifeline at the Stadium of Light when Jordi Gomez was spot on to secure three vital points to Wearside.

Despite gifting Southampton’s Sadio Mane a calamitous equaliser less than 60 seconds after Gomez’s first in the 21st minute, the Black Cats sealed a crucial win courtesy of the Spaniard’s second nine minutes after the break.

The penalties were enough to secure only the second win in 11 matches for Sunderland, who remain in the bottom three despite securing a much-needed win over a team which knocked eight past them in October.

There are now just two points separating Sunderland inn 18th and Aston Villa in 14th, with Newcastle United right in the mix after an eighth successive defeat at 17th placed Leicester City earlier in the day.

Dick Advocaat – who gave Adam Johnson ten minutes of football from the bench for the first time since the winger was charged by police last month - had decided to give Danny Graham an opportunity to impress from the start and the decision paid off.

Graham, one of two changes along with having Seb Larsson back from suspension, was looking for his first goal in 27 Premier League appearances for Sunderland and his presence led to the opening goal.

After Billy Jones had seen a header at the back post saved by former Sunderland keeper Kelvin Davis, Sunderland’s next attack resulted in the lead.

Southampton defender Jose Fonte was lucky to be still on the pitch when he high-kicked Graham in the penalty box as he tried to clear a dropping ball. Gomez was the man to step up and he side-footed the spot-kick inside Davis’ bottom left corner.

But the lead was short-lived because Southampton were level within 60 seconds. Nathaniel Clyne’s long ball from half way was going to be dealt with by Sebastien Coates, but Costel Pantilimon charged out unnecessarily.

The big Romanian flattened both Coates and John O’Shea, who had to be replaced minutes later, and Mane was on hand to pick up the loose ball and find the empty net.

Sunderland recovered to end the first half the stronger and Connor Wickham went close with an effort over the bar following a nice move involving Patrick van Aanholt and Gomez down the left. Graham should have scored when a saved Jermain Defoe header dropped to him at the back post, but his first touch allowed Fonte in to clear. There was even time for Larsson to see a free-kick saved by Davis, but level was how it stayed at the break.

But less than ten minutes after the restart, Sunderland had the lead again anyway and it was from a second Gomez penalty. This time it was the result of Ward-Prowse’s trip on Defoe after some great work from Graham and the Saints man was also red carded.

There were plenty of nerves in the final stages, knowing how important a second Southampton goal could be in the bigger picture, and Pantilimon made amends with a great save to deny Sean Davis.

But the Stadium of Light had a win to savour – and there have not been too many of those this season. SUNDERLAND (4-3-3): Pantilimon; Jones, Coates, O’Shea (Vergini 31), van Aanholt; Cattermole, Larsson (Rodwell 81), Gomez; Defoe (Johnson 81), Graham, Wickham. Subs: Mannone (gk), Bridcutt, Reveillere, Buckley.

SOUTHAMPTON (4-2-3-1): Davis; Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Bertrand; Alderweireld, Wanyama (Davis 66); Ward-Prowse; Mane (Elia 70), Long (Djuricic 46); Pelle. Subs: Gazzaniga, Gardos, Elia, Reed, Targett.