The key to this game has been how Saracens have played without the ball.

Sale have panicked in the final stages and Sarries have just waited it out.

They've taken opportunities when they've come, and the latest one being when they were down to 14 men.

So it's game on for Sale as they now have the one-man advantage.

It's getting quite heated out there as another poor hit comes in on a Sale player, TJ Ioane but no penalty this time.

And it's a yellow card for Michael Rhodes for a high tackle.

The Saracens number four doesn't agree but he'll sit out for 10 regardless.

A soft yellow but correct by the letter of the law.

Two minutes left on the sin-bin clock as Saracens are on the attack inside the Sale half.

Marcelo Bosch's kick doesn't quite go to plan. He sees the space in behind but the ball ends up in Will Addison's hand who's hit by a big tackle from Michael Rhodes.

And we're checking this contact...Rhodes could be in a bit of trouble here.

So Sale, down to 14 men, manage to add to their tally and reduce the deficit to eight points.

Saracens were lucky to only concede three points there as Sale finally get into gear.

An electric moment from Paolo Odogwu who explodes through the midfield before kicking ahead and haring after it.

He's beaten to the ball but Sale regain possession and they are in a very threatening position here.

Sale get away with that one as Alex Lozowski pulls his kick wide.

But they've got a crucial period coming up now as they try to limit the damage with Halani Aulika off the field.

Oh dear. Halani Aulika with a complete overreaction and he makes contact with Jim Hamilton.

Hamilton manages a swift duck so the contact is with the shoulder, not the head, and he escapes with a yellow. Had he landed the intended head shot, it could have been a different story...

He leaves the field and Sale are down to 14 men for 10 minutes.

Poor ball control and Sale find themselves right back in their own half.

Mike Phillips appears to have got fed up of Alex Lozowski running this show and puts his hand up for a place in Strictly Come Dancing next season.

A beautiful jive gets him out of trouble and puts Sale on the front foot.

But, the uglier side of the game rears it's head and we're with the TMO to check on a little scrap...

But from the kick-off, Sale win yet another penalty and Alan MacGinty lands a superb kick to the corner as Sale find themselves in a familiar position.

They've been here before but they'll want to come away with more than three points this time...

Saracens keep the scoreboard ticking over as Alex Lozowski slots another one through the uprights and they didn't have to work too hard for those points.

Saracens seem to have vast numbers of men out on the left wing, but they're too flat here and the Sale defence holds strong.

Will Addison flies out of the line, Sarries lost momentum and eventually the ball is lost forward.

Better by Sale as they make their first subs of the game.

Image source, Getty Images

Alan MacGinty with a good strike to calm the Sale nerves and we are back to an eight-point match.

Sale win yet another penalty and they have a big decision here.

But they opt for the corner and secure easy ball at the line-out...before Saracens are punished again.

A key period in this match with Saracens under huge pressure and this time, they take the free shot at goal.

And Saracens are rampant here, not the start Sale would've wanted.

Another good break from Andrew Fenby but he throws the ball away when he may have been better to hold on to it.

But a frantic period of play finally comes to an end and it's Sale who win the penalty.

Ouch. Mike Haley is taken out in the air as Mike Ellery mis-reads the flight of the ball.

Another soft penalty to give away and Sale are into the Saracens half.

But the line-out goes straight into the hands of a Saracens player and they are queuing up here...

One change for Sarries at half time as Matt Gallagher comes on to replace Chris Wyles on the wing.

And the first penalty of the half goes to Sale with Alan MacGinty clearing to halfway.