December has been a tricky month for the Seagulls in recent years.
And the trend continued on Saturday, with their winless streak in the festive month extending to nine games – a dismal run stretching back to 2023.
Manager Fabian Hurzeler was not helped by high-profile absences, with Lewis Dunk serving a one-game suspension, while fellow centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke was left out of the squad.
Summer signings Diego Coppola and Olivier Boscagli were chosen as their replacements, with just one Premier League start between them this season.
After some early careless passing that gifted possession back to Sunderland in the middle of the park, the pair held their nerve and stood firm defensively.
But the biggest miss for Brighton was an outlet up front, with Danny Welbeck – the club’s top scorer this season – out with a back issue.
Georginio Rutter was given the role of centre-forward, but it was Yasin Ayari who came closest for Brighton.
The Swede lacked a cutting edge in front of goal, snatching at a chance in stoppage time, while he skewed two earlier efforts over the crossbar.
December gets no easier with two trips away from home, as they travel to league leaders Arsenal next before facing a struggling West Ham side at London Stadium.