Granit Xhaka starred as Sunderland again showed their resilience to fight back and maintain their unbeaten home record in a 1-1 draw with Everton, following a stunning solo goal from Iliman Ndiaie.
The Sunderland captain equalized just 46 seconds after half-time and ended the game with more chances created and possession won than anyone else on the pitch. It was a performance that underlined his status as a contender for signings of the season.
But the match was ignited by a candidate for the goal of the season after only 15 minutes. Ndiaie produced a mesmerizing run and finish to open the scoring, running past Dan Ballard and Xhaka, then eluding Lutsharel Gertruida and Nordi Mukiele before turning for a corner.
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Everton’s Iliman Ndiaie scores a great solo goal against Sunderland!
Then came a candidate for the flop of the season. Thierno Barry – who started in place of fellow absentee striker Beto – should have doubled the lead, firing home from close range from Jack Grealish’s cross after the Englishman had hit the post himself.
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Thierno Barry misses a great chance to double Everton’s lead at Sunderland!
David Moyes – back at the Stadium of Light for the first time since managing the Black Cats in the 2016/17 relegation season – could not hide his frustration at Barry’s miss and it came back to haunt the visitors when Xhaka’s shot hit James Tarkowski and left Jordan Pickford with no chance.
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Granit Xhaka scores his first goal for Sunderland to equalize against Everton in the Premier League match!
Sunderland academy graduate Pickford was also returning to play for his former country for the first time and had to be alert to prevent Wilson Isidore from deflecting Enzo Le Fio’s shot moments later.
Sunderland, sloppy early on, took complete control in the second half with captain Xhaka leading them forward. There was a penalty for handball against Michael Keane, a mistake by Isidore and a missed chance by Mukiele’s header, but no second goal and a repeat of their comeback win at Chelsea last time out.
Still, five games unbeaten at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League and the point moves Sunderland into fourth place. Everton go 14th, but Moyes will be left to reflect on his wayward centre-forwards, with missed chances again proving costly for his side who also managed to squander a two-on-one chance in the dying seconds.
More to come…