Sunderland, starring Granit Xhaka, showed their resilience to maintain their unbeaten home record by fighting back to draw 1-1 with Everton after a stunning solo goal from Iliman Ndiay.
The Sunderland captain finished the game with a deflected equalizer just 46 seconds after half-time, creating more chances and winning a tackle than anyone on the pitch. It was a performance that underscored his status as a contract candidate this season.
But just 15 minutes later, this season’s goal candidate brightened up the game. Ndiaye opened the scoring with a mesmerizing run and finish, edging past Dan Ballard and Xhaka, past Lutsharel Gertruida and Nordi Mukiele before turning into the corner.
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Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye scores a stunning solo goal against Sunderland!
Next up were the candidates for Miss of the Season. Tierno Barry, who started in place of fellow failed forward Beto, should have doubled the lead by firing in Jack Grealish’s cross from close range after the Englishman hit the post himself.
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Tierno Barry misses big chance to double Everton’s lead against Sunderland!
David Moyes, returning to the Stadium of Light for the first time since taking charge of the Black Cats during the 2016/17 relegation season, was left frustrated by Barry’s mistakes, and his frustration returned to haunt the visitors when Xhaka’s shot hit James Tarkowski and denied Jordan Pickford a chance.
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Granit Xhaka scores his first goal for Sunderland, leveling the score against Everton in the Premier League!
Pickford, a product of Sunderland’s academy, was also making his first return to action for his old club and moments later Wilson Isidore had to be on guard to avoid deflecting Enzo Le Fee’s shot.
Sunderland had a poor start, but in the second half they took complete control with captain Xhaka driving the team forward. Despite a screamed handball penalty against Michael Keane, a mistake from Isidore and a wasted header from Mukiele, there were no further points and it was a repeat of the come-from-behind win against Chelsea last time out.
However, Sunderland are unbeaten in five games at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League, and the points move them into fourth place. Everton have moved up to 14th place, but Moyes will be left worrying about his wayward centre-forwards. The missed chance once again proved costly for the team, who also succeeded in squandering a 2-on-1 chance in the final seconds.
Carla: “Xhaka is fantastic and important for Sunderland”
Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports:
“I thought Granit Xhaka was a really great player, not just the goals, but he was head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch tonight.
“If you look at the result this weekend, Burnley, who had come up through the ranks, lost. Leeds also lost. That’s another point. It’s just going to keep going, because there will be a stage this season where Sunderland go a few games without getting a point.
“We want to keep going like this and get closer to 35 or 36 points which would almost guarantee us survival in the Premier League.”
