Momo Diame's first goal for Wigan Athletic should have been the foundation for three priceless points at the Stadium of Light, were it not for a second-half equaliser from Kenwyne Jones.
In a first-half that Latics dominated, Diame was the main-man, bossing the midfield, first to just about every ball and showing great feet to twist and turn out of numerous tight spots.
Then, after twenty-minutes, the midfielder pounced on a poor Matthew Kilgallon pass, skipped past the nervy centre-half and, from a tight angle on the right side of the area, rocketed one into the roof of the net, Craig Gordon had no chance.
Rather than rest on their laurels, Roberto Martinez's men pushed forward for more, frustrating the home side, and their supporters, and looking very much the team in control.
After the break, as expected, Sunderland came out firing, but golden chances for James McCarthy and Charls N'Zogbia on the edge of the six-yard box should have put the game to bed. Neither could control their shots and the Stadium of Light breathed a sigh of relief.
They say missed chances come back to haunt you and that's exactly what happened when Jordan Henderson delivered a beautiful ball from the right just after the hour-mark for Jones to head home comfortably.
Marcelo Moreno and Victor Moses came on to make their debut in bright orange and did well without too many chances to make an impression. Moreno in particular looking extremely strong and clever latching onto the last man whenever he could.
Andy Reid, finding far too much space on the right-wing, threatened to provide opportunities to increase the lead but Latics weathered the storm well and hung on for a very valuable point, and one well-earned.
