The visitors took the lead after just 60 seconds as Will Buckley's cross was spilled by Asmir Begovic, and Connor Wickham tapped the ball in from close range.

Connor Wickham of Sunderland celebrates scoring the opening goal with Billy Jones of Sunderland during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Sunderland at Britannia Stadium on April 25, 2015 © Getty Images

Stoke pushed for an immediate equaliser and went close through a long-range Charlie Adam strike and Jonathan Walters's low drive across goal.

Sunderland had a great chance to double their lead as Lee Cattermole released Jermaine Defoe through on goal, but he could only find the side-netting.

They paid for that miss two minutes later as Marko Arnautovic set up Adam to slam a right-footed shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Charlie Adam of Stoke City celebrates scoring their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Sunderland at Britannia Stadium on April 25, 2015 © Getty Images

The Potters went close to taking the lead shortly after as Adam's corner was headed narrowly over by Ryan Shawcross.

Arnautovic had a low drive well saved, before Adam popped a left-footed shot wide from the edge of the box as the home side ended the half strongly.

Sunderland responded in the early stages of the second half as Wickham forced Begovic into a low save from a Defoe through ball, while Patrick van Aanholt blazed a shot over from the edge of the box.

The visitors continued to surge forward in hunt of a second, and Begovic made another fine save to deny Billy Jones from close range.

Despite being under a lot of pressure, Stoke continued to threaten and Costel Pantilimon blocked Mame Biram Diouf's shot from inside the box to keep the scores level.

Adam went close to his second with a fierce long-range strike, but neither side found a winner and settled for a point.