Sunderland enjoyed a record-breaking weekend in South London as Crystal Palace were left battered and bruised, but it’s back to business at the Stadium of Light this weekend as the Lads welcome Southampton to Wearside.
David Moyes will be hoping his players can replicate their Selhurst Park showing when the Saints come marching in, and looking back it’s clear that a clean sheet will be key.
The Black Cats haven’t kept one in any of their last eight Premier League games against Southampton, but during that time they’ve tasted defeat on just two occasions.
Five of those encounters have ended level so fine margins could be decisive.
That said, there hasn’t been a goalless draw between the two sides since March 1978 – a run which stretches an incredible 37 games!
The tale of the managerial tape also provides encouraging reading for those in red and white, with Moyes losing just one of his 11 PL meetings against Southampton.
Jermain Defoe’s dazzling double against Palace saw him climb to second on Sunderland’s all-time leading PL scorers list, surpassing Niall Quinn (32) and moving to within 28 of leader Kevin Phillips.
The prolific frontman has found the net in each of his last two top-flight meetings with Saints, with goals coming late on (80th and 85th minute).
But the drama wasn't over there, with Southampton equalising five minutes later on both occasions.
Claude Puel’s side have suffered six defeats in their last seven PL outings and they’re yet to pick up a point away from home in 2017.
But despite suffering a disappointing loss at home to West Ham United last weekend, there were signs of encouragement as Manolo Gabbiadini struck on his debut.
In doing so the Italian became Saints’ 100th PL scorer and this weekend he’ll look to emulate Henri Camera, who is the only Southampton player to score in their first two PL appearances for the club.
