Traore's physical approach and Cucurella's defensive tenacity led to a persistent niggle throughout the second half. When the Spanish international appeared to impede the former Wolves winger near the corner flag, the situation finally exploded. Pedro's intervention only served to escalate the mood, drawing in players from both sides as tensions boiled over on the pitch.
Sunderland face one of the tougher assignments of this busy Premier League midweek, travelling to Merseyside to take on Premier League champions Liverpool. Some Sunderland fans have been looking beyond Wednesday's fixture to the games ahead and have suggested that a little forward planning on the disciplinary front might work counter-intuitively in the Black Cats' favour. There's even an argument that two of Sunderland's players would actually benefit from being shown the yellow card at Anfield.