Sam Allardyce cheered by Sunderland 'character'

Sam Allardyce saluted Sunderland's character after watching his side come from a goal behind to claim a "precious" point against Bournemouth.

New Bournemouth striker Benik Afobe opened the scoring in the 13th minute but Patrick van Aanholt's equaliser on the stroke of half-time proved enough to earn a point for Sunderland.

The visitors looked likely to add a second but Sunderland battled their way back into the game and Allardyce was pleased to see his team show resilience.

"After their goal went in there were 20 minutes where we hung on and that was really important because that is what we have not done recently," he said.

"That is what we have not done recently. When the opposition have had the better of the play, they have always scored but this time we stopped them scoring.

"So we played our way back into the game in the last 15 minutes of the first half and got the goal which a very, very good goal indeed. In the second half, it went end to end with chances at both ends and nobody could get the winner.

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"I think it is the first time we have gained a result from going a goal behind which is showing a bit of character from the players and they overcame their fears which we all saw when they went 1-0 down and came through strongly mentally."

The draw leaves Sunderland second from bottom in the Premier League table and three points adrift of safety with difficult fixtures against Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United to come next.

Allardyce knows those games will provide a stern challenge for his side but is confident they can spring an upset.

"We have got to be dogged and determined in the fixtures that are coming up and we have got to make sure we play the best we can possibly play and see if we can take a point or two," Allardyce said.

"It is not impossible and it is something we have to try and do. If we can do that, we keep ticking over in points gained.

"In our last four games, we have won two, lost one and drawn one so that shows a recovery the previous five defeats on the trot which was very disappointing.

"We have showed a lot of nerve and character to come through that spell with two wins, a draw and a defeat in four games.

"If we continue that form for the rest of the season, we are going to be fine."