Sunderland 1-1 Everton – Match Report

Granit Xhaka’s first Sunderland goal just after half-time to cancel out Iliman Ndiaye’s wonder goal was enough to retain the Black Cats’ unbeaten home record.

Sunderland started the game really sloppily, and just couldn’t hold onto the ball, and they were penalised after 15 minutes, as Iliman Ndiaye picked up the ball, went on a mazy run beating multiple people, and curled the ball in from the edge of the box.

Everton we’re close to making it 2-0 in the first half, as Jack Grealish was unlucky after his strike from 20-yards out hit the post.

After half an hour, Sunderland began to grow into the game and eventually dominate the play.

Just seconds into the 2nd half, Granit Xhaka scored his first Sunderland goal to make it 1-1.

Enzo Le Fee picked him out on the edge of the box and Xhaka’s strike took a huge deflection off James Tarkowski and found its way into the net.

Moments later, Le Fee came very close to making it 2-1, as his shot also took a wicked deflection, but was brilliantly saved by Pickford, who somehow got a hand to it.

Sunderland may have been unlucky not to get a penalty, after Michael Keane appeared to have block a Noah Sadiki cross with his hand, which was in a slightly unnatural position, but it wasn’t given.

Nordi Mukiele also came very close to completing the comeback late on, but he miscues his header and it was well off target.

Sunderland now sit 4th in the Premier League after 10 games on 18 points, whereas Everton are now 14th, 5 points above the bottom 3.

MoTM – Granit Xhaka