Leaving this space blank would be the fairest reflection of a match that veered dangerously close to unwatchable. Sunderland started with their two leading strikers on the substitutes’ bench and Blackburn Rovers have now recorded five clean sheets in Sam Allardyce’s six matches, which partially explains the tedium.

So, too, does the Barclays Premier League table, with both clubs just outside the relegation zone. The fourth meeting between the clubs this season was played at half-pace, a clear illustration that priorities lie elsewhere.

At least Allardyce can claim that his players have embraced resilience after his appointment. “If you think about what went on before, then it’s a big improvement,” Ryan Nelsen, the Blackburn captain, said.

Blackburn had the best chance, a shot from Morten Gamst Pedersen that was cleared off the line, but Sunderland think they can turn their form around. “We’re good enough to get out of it,” Grant Leadbitter said.

Sunderland (4-4-2): M Fulop 6 — P Bardsley 5 (sub: G McCartney, 65min 5), P Chimbonda 7, A Ferdinand 6, D Collins 6 — C Edwards 6, S Malbranque 5, G Leadbitter 5, A Reid 5 — M Chopra 4, D Healy 3 (sub; K Jones, 68 5). Substitutes not used: D Cissé, E-H Diouf, D Yorke, N Colgan, D Murphy.

Blackburn Rovers (4-4-2): P Robinson 5 — D Simpson 6, C Samba 7, R Nelsen 7, S Warnock 6 (sub: G Givet 73) — M G Pedersen 6, A Mokoena 6, V Grella 6, M Olsson 4 (sub: A Haworth, 56 6) — B McCarthy 5, R Santa Cruz 5 (sub: C Villanueva, 67 5). Substitutes not used: Z Khizanishvili, B Emerton, K Andrews, M Bunn. Booked: Olsson, Mokoena, Samba.

Referee: L Probert Attendance: 22,634

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