Ki Sung-yueng spent most of 2013-14 on loan at Sunderland

Ki Sung-yueng has goal chalked off for offside

Defoe opens scoring shortly afterwards

Korean was back in side following Asia Cup duty

Sunderland yet to win back-to-back in league

Sunderland claimed a valuable point in their bid for Premier League survival as they held Swansea to a draw.

The Swans dominated the first half but their profligate finishing was punished as Jermain Defoe's low effort put Sunderland in front.

Ki Sung-Yueng equalised with a diving header against his former club, but Swansea were frustrated as they sought a late winner.

Swansea remain ninth in the table, while Sunderland are still 14th.

Having beaten Burnley last weekend to end a winless run of five games, Sunderland had hopes of claiming back-to-back victories for the first time this season after Defoe gave them the lead.

But having withstood long periods of Swansea pressure, Gus Poyet's side may have been content with a league-high 12th draw of the campaign.

Black Cats let it slip - again Sunderland have thrown away 14 points from leading positions this season, a figure only Everton and Swansea have exceeded.

The Swans gave a debut to Jack Cork, a January signing from Southampton who was joined in midfield by Ki on his return from the Asian Cup with South Korea.

Media playback is not supported on this device Monk bemoans Swans being 'punished'

With Sunderland striker Connor Wickham out injured, Poyet sprang something of a surprise as he handed former Swansea player Danny Graham a first Sunderland start since May 2013.

It was another ex-Swan, however, who had Sunderland's first chance, as Jordi Gomez fired wide with a well-struck shot from the edge of the area.

That chance midway through the first half seemed to spark the match into life, as Swansea had a flurry of opportunities.

By scoring against Swansea City, Jermain Defoe has now scored against all 20 teams currently in the Premier League

A flowing move involving crisp interplay between Neil Taylor, Nathan Dyer and Jonjo Shelvey ended with a close-range effort from Bafetimbi Gomis smothered by Costel Pantilimon.

Shelvey then had two long-range shots saved and a free-kick of his appeared to have created the opening goal for Swansea, but Ki's sharp finish was disallowed for offside.

Media playback is not supported on this device Defoe provides 'big difference' - Poyet

The hosts' despair was compounded seconds later, as Defoe put Sunderland ahead against the run of play with a drilled shot into the bottom corner shortly before half-time.

Swansea continued to control possession after the restart, and their perseverance eventually paid dividends as Ki met Kyle Naughton's inviting cross with a fine diving header.

Garry Monk's men pressed for a winner, as Shelvey went close with a curling free-kick from 25 yards and substitute Nelson Oliveira had a low shot saved by Pantilimon.

But Sunderland resisted to claim a potentially precious point in their attempt to steer clear of relegation.

Swansea manager Garry Monk: "We did more than enough to score us the goals and win us the game, but we're disappointed we didn't come away with all three.

(On Ki's disallowed goal) "It's not conclusive, I was told his head was offside but I'm not sure how that can be right.

"The linesman's flag was up straight away so we just have to go with it."

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet: "It was a shame at the end but we were very good in the first half and that can give us the confidence to keep getting results.

(On goal scorer Jermain Defoe) "It's something we were missing, and something he will keep doing because he is Jermain Defoe.

"I am sure that now other teams are going to have to look at us in a different way."

Jack Cork was booked 15 minutes into his Swansea debut for kicking the ball away

Bafetimbi Gomis is leading Swansea's attack following Wilfried Bony's departure, but he was denied by a fine Costel Pantilimon save

Ki Sung-yueng has now scored four times so far this season, one more than his total for Sunderland last term