Evanilson earns Bournemouth a point against Sunderland

Substitute Evanilson claimed a second-half equaliser as Bournemouth stretched their unbeaten run to eight Premier League games by battling back to draw 1-1 against Sunderland.

Eliezer Mayenda volleyed the Blacks Cats into an early lead at Vitality Stadium with his first goal since the opening weekend of the season.

But the visitors were denied a first top-flight away victory since October when Evanilson converted Marcus Tavernier’s cross with his shoulder 27 minutes from time.

Bournemouth, who remain two points above Sunderland in the table, created little after levelling as their European aspirations suffered a setback.

Referee Jarred Gillett had a busy afternoon in Dorset, including denying Sunderland an early penalty and opting not to dismiss Cherries midfielder Tyler Adams for a strong challenge on Granit Xhaka.

Sunderland have enjoyed a fine season following promotion but travelled 350 miles to the south coast on the back of three consecutive league defeats.

The Black Cats were boosted by captain Xhaka making his first start in six weeks after an ankle injury as part of four changes, while in-form Bournemouth recalled David Brooks and Tavernier in place of Amine Adli and Evanilson.

Noah Sadiki tested Cherries goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic inside three minutes before match official Gillett waved away Sunderland’s appeals when Enzo Le Fee went to ground in the area after being nudged in the back by Alex Jimenez, with the challenge deemed “normal contact” by the VAR.

Junior Kroupi dragged a good chance wide as Bournemouth briefly responded to their sloppy start.

The visitors’ early enterprise was rewarded with an 18th-minute opener.

Dan Ballard’s incisive pass unlocked Bournemouth’s static backline and, after the diving