When Saints have lost this season it’s very rare you’ve been able to say they played a major part in their own downfall, but this was such an occasion.

In any season you are going to get a few below-par displays. Even the very best are rarely flawless, but your desire is to always keep them to a minimum.

If you play well and get beaten by somebody who is just better on the day then that is easier to accept than having to look at your own failings.

Even if you play well, but an individual error costs you, then, as frustrating as that is, you just have to hold your hands up and reflect nobody does it on purpose and these are the joys of being part of a team.

However, when you collectively fail to live up to the standards you expect it is somewhat demoralising.

That is what happened to Saints at Sunderland.

This performance was so out of character. It was so flat, they didn’t really get anything going, and it was almost as if there was nothing left to play for this season. What made the defeat worse was that Sunderland were not at all impressive. Indeed, they were ripe for the picking.

Another three points would have been a hammer blow to Tottenham and given Saints a distinct advantage in their quest to finish above Spurs and have kept them in touch with Liverpool. As it is, the Reds are disappearing into the distance in fifth.

Some people have even needlessly started fretting about Swansea in eighth, missing the fact they have four points and a huge goal difference deficit, and play Arsenal and Manchester City in their next two.

Arguably, this was Saints’ easiest remaining fixture. Leicester are flying and will be a real tough nut next weekend, then it’s Aston Villa at home and they are rejuvenated, then Manchester City away.

Hopefully reflecting on the Sunderland defeat might serve to refocus and galvanise Saints.

In fairness to them, we shouldn’t criticise too harshly, as they have been magnificent this season and this is a rare blip, but, to finish the campaign with a flourish and secure a guaranteed Europa League spot, they need to pick up again soon.

Ideally on the road, too, where a run of one point from a possible 15 is a worrying recent trend.

Daily Echo:

It was a disappointing day for the Saints fans who made the long trip to Sunderland

It wasn’t as if Saints were overwhelmed by the passion and desire of a team battling for survival at the Stadium of Light. The crowd were nervy, the team lacked any real belief and there was a general feeling Saints would win.

But the manner of Saints’ performance did somewhat hand the result to Sunderland.

The difference between the teams proved to be two converted penalties.

Daily Echo:

Jordi Gomez converts from the penalty spot for Sunderland

Sunderland won their first on 21 minutes.

It was a touch unfortunate, as Jose Fonte had eyes on the ball and was swinging his leg to try and hook it clear when he inadvertently poleaxed the on-running Danny Graham.

Hard luck, but it was a spot kick, and Jordi Gomez buried it in the bottom corner.

Saints hit back almost straight from the restart, thanks to the generosity of Sunderland.

A Fonte long punt was easy for Costel Pantilimon to gather, but his own player, Sebastian Coates, clattered into him. The ball spilt to Sadio Mane, who had the simple task of finishing into the empty net.

Daily Echo:

Celebrations begin with Sadio Mane after his equalising goal

The second Sunderland spot kick was given ten minutes into the second half.

Again, there was a touch of misfortune to the award, though Saints had nobody but themselves to blame for getting in that situation.

A slightly under-hit pass found James Ward-Prowse on his heels in the Sunderland half and Lee Cattermole intercepted.

He quickly played it forward to Graham, who got the better of Maya Yoshida in exactly the same way as happened against Spurs. He squared in the box to Jermain Defoe.

Ward-Prowse had sprinted back to cover and the pair collided as Defoe attempted to retrieve a slightly heavy touch and get ready to shoot from eight yards out.

Daily Echo:

James Ward-Prowse about to be dismissed by Mike Jones

Technically it was a penalty, and a red card, even if it felt harsh.

Gomez stuck the ball in the opposite bottom corner.

Saints did rally a little when down to ten, and kept the ball far better than they had previously in the game.

Their plan surely had been to try and dominate possession as they can and frustrate the Sunderland team and crowd from the start, but the only measure of control they exerted was with a player less.

And, with deficit to deal with, Sunderland were able to defend resolutely and doggedly.

The goals were pretty much the highlights of the game, with Kelvin Davis making a couple of decent saves from Defoe and Jack Rodwell, while Toby Alderweireld found Pantilimon in good form in stoppage time.

This match is one to quickly consign to the rubbish bin of history for Saints.