Bournemouth’s push for European qualification suffered a setback on Saturday as they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Sunderland at the Vitality Stadium.
Andoni Iraola’s men fell behind in the first half when Eliezer Mayenda ended his long wait for a Premier League goal, striking for the first time since August.
The visitors capitalised on a sharp rebound after Habib Diarra’s fierce effort was pushed away by goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, leaving Mayenda with a simple close-range finish in the 18th minute.
The Cherries responded after the break and restored parity through Evanilson, whose sixth league goal of the campaign extended Bournemouth’s unbeaten run to eight matches.
The Brazilian forward benefited from a misjudgment by Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs, bundling Marcus Tavernier’s cross home at the far post in the 64th minute.
Victory would have strengthened Bournemouth’s outside hopes of a Champions League spot, but instead they remain eighth in the table. Sunderland, meanwhile, sit two points back in 11th place.
Sunderland skipper Granit Xhaka made his first start since January 17 following an ankle injury, and his return brought added stability to a side that had lost four of five league games in his absence.
The visitors thought they might have had an early penalty when Enzo Le Fee went down under pressure from Alex Jimenez, but appeals were waved away.
Despite the departure of Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City earlier in the season, a move that left Bournemouth 15th at the time, Iraola’s side have shown resilience.
Junior Kroupi has stepped up impressively, nearly opening the scoring early on when he fired wide inside the area.
Sunderland remained dangerous on the break. Lutsharel Geertruida produced a crucial goal-saving challenge to deny David Brooks from close range, while Roefs made a superb double save to thwart Marcus Tavernier and Alex Scott in quick succession.
Diarra had a golden opportunity to double the Black Cats’ advantage shortly after halftime but shot straight at Roefs from Chemsdine Talbi’s assist.
Bournemouth pressed for a winner in the closing stages, with Jimenez firing narrowly off target, yet neither side could find a decisive breakthrough as the spoils were shared.
