Sam Allardyce was pleased to bank what could be a crucial point following a late equaliser at Stoke.
The Black Cats looked set for defeat at the Britannia Stadium after Marko Arnautovic fired the Potters into a 1-0 lead.
But Jermain Defoe's 94th-minute penalty levelled matters with almost the last kick of the game.
“Jermain's goal has got us a very precious point," Allardyce said afterwards.
“It was a lovely piece of skill from him, and the defender has brought him down because he was probably straight through.
“It was a blatant penalty that stopped him getting through on goal. We have some very big games coming up.”
Allardyce admitted he was disappointed with the performance, and the boss tinkered with the set-up in the second half as his side looked for some traction.
And he was happy with a point in the end heading into the final two weeks of the season.
“We were in the position where we had to change the shape of the team because we weren't playing as well as we can do.
“In the end we got a little better in possession, got at Stoke and got ourselves a draw.
“It wasn't our best performance by a long way, but in the end we've got a precious point.”
He added: “Defensively we have been very resilient [in recent weeks]. In possession we weren't as good as we have been and hopefully we will be better against Chelsea.
“There's no comeback for the opposition when you score in the 93rd minute. When you get that goal that gets you a point you have to be satisfied.”
