Tadic penalty winner adds to Sunderland gloom

The Serb made no mistake from the spot after Yann M'Vila carelessly tripped Ryan Bertrand in the box.

Defeat kept second-bottom Sunderland firmly in the relegation zone.

Ronald Koeman's visitors might well have secured victory earlier but for a series of fine saves by Sunderland goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon at the Stadium of Light.

The result meant north-east side Sunderland have now lost three of the four matches they have played under new manager Sam Allardyce.

This latest loss, however, did the see the Black Cats regain a measure of self-respect after they conceded six goals at Everton last weekend.

South coast club Southampton, who stayed seventh, dominated possession in the first half but only twice-tested Pantilimon.

The Romanian shot-stopper smothered Tadic's 16th-minute strike and then beat away away Sadio Mane's volley six minutes later.

Those were two of the highlights in a dull first half where Sunderland barely created a meaningful chance.

Sunderland looked a far more lively team at the start of the second period yet it was Southampton, managed by Dutch great Koeman, who had the best chances to break the deadlock.

Mane's 52nd-minute shot was well-saved by Pantilimon, while both he and Graziano Pelle had shots blocked.

However, the goal Southampton had been threatening arrived when, with 21 minutes left, M'Vila's needless challenge on Bertrand saw referee Mike Jones award a penalty to the Saints.

Pantilimon, guessing correctly, dived to his left but Tadic's spot-kick beat the goalkeeper for power.

Sunderland pressed for an equaliser but an Adam Johnson curling free-kick that went just wide was as close as they came.