Everton

Sunderland 1-1 Everton Xhaka (46′)                            Ndiaye (15′) Granit Xhaka’s early second-half strike earned Sunderland a draw against Everton, as Regis Le Bris’ side moved back into the Premier League top four. The visitors entered the game just four points above the relegation side, but enjoyed the better chances in the first period. Thierno Barry headed down Jordan Pickford’s long ball in the opening seconds, Joe Garner connected sweetly on the edge of the box, but the left-footed strike whistled wide. Everton took the lead in the 14th minute thanks to a tremendous solo from Iliman Ndiaye. The Senegalese attacker drifted in from the right, jinking past several Sunderland bodies, before curling past Robin Roefs. Jack Grealish almost doubled the lead six minutes later. After shifting the ball onto his right foot, his 20-yard strike cannoned off the post to the relief of the home faithful. Barry should have doubled Everton’s lead on the half-hour mark. Barry ghosted in to the back post to meet Grealish’s clever cross, but from 5 yards, the striker could only flash over. David Moyes would have been pleased with his side’s performance, but perhaps frustrated that they were unable to add to Ndiaye’s solo effort. Xhaka responded for Sunderland just seconds into the second half. The captain drilled a left-footed shot towards Pickford’s goal, which took a deflection off James Tarkowski and sailed high into the net. Everton suddenly looked on the ropes, and Pickford had to react quickly to tip Enzo Le Fee’s deflected strike away from the goal to keep the score level. The draw leaves Sunderland in the top four on 18 points, as they grow on their outstanding start after promotion to the Premier League. Everton sit 14th, and are without a win in their last three matches. Sunderland: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Geertruida, Mandava, Traore (Talbi 82′) Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Isidor (Brobbey 83′) Everton: Pickford, O’Brien (Iroegbunam 83′) Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Gueye, Garner, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall (Alcaraz 83′) Grealish, Barry (Beto 57′)