Blackburn Rovers had the better of the first-half chances but couldn't open the scoring as they went into the break 0-0 with Sunderland.
Steve Kean's side, who can move six points clear of the Premier League bottom three with a win at Ewood Park tonight, came closest to breaking the deadlock.
Top scorer Yakubu nearly gave Rovers a third-minute lead but his shot was smartly cleared off the line by Phil Bardsley.
Defender Grant Hanley wasted a good opportunity for the hosts by glancing a close-range header over the bar as neither side seriously troubled the opposition goalkeeper.
Black Cats debutante Sotirios Kyrgiakos had his side's only real chance of note but blazed over on the volley.
