Granit Xhaka starred as Sunderland showed their resilience again to battle back and maintain their unbeaten home record in a 1-1 draw with Everton, after Iliman Ndiaye’s stunning solo goal.
The Sunderland captain thumped in a deflected equaliser just 46 seconds after half-time and finished the game with more chances created and tackles won than anybody on the pitch. It was a performance which underlined his status as a signing-of-the-season contender.
But the game had been lit up after just 15 minutes by a goal-of-the-season contender. Ndiaye produced a mesmerising run and finish to open the scoring, nipping past Dan Ballard and Xhaka then evading Lutsharel Geertruida and Nordi Mukiele before curling into the corner.
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Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye scores a brilliant solo goal against Sunderland!
Then came the miss-of-the-season contender. Thierno Barry – starting in place of fellow misfiring forward Beto – should have doubled the lead, firing over from close range from Jack Grealish’s cross after the England man had struck a post himself.
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Thierno Barry misses a huge chance to double Everton’s lead at Sunderland!
David Moyes – back at the Stadium of Light for the first time since he was Black Cats manager for their 2016/17 relegation season – couldn’t hide his frustration at Barry’s miss and it came back to haunt the visitors when Xhaka’s shot struck James Tarkowski and gave Jordan Pickford no chance.
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Granit Xhaka scores his first goal for Sunderland to level against Everton in their Premier League clash!
Sunderland academy graduate Pickford was also making his first return to play his former side and had to be alert to prevent Wilson Isidor diverting an Enzo Le Fee shot in moments later.
Sunderland, sloppy early on, took complete control in the second half, with captain Xhaka driving them forwards. There was a handball penalty shout against Michael Keane, a miscue from Isidor and wasted headed chance from Mukiele but no second goal and repeat of their comeback win at Chelsea last time out.
It is five games unbeaten at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League, though, and the point takes Sunderland up to fourth. Everton go to 14th but Moyes will be left mulling over his wayward centre forwards, with missed chances again proving costly for his side who also managed to squander a two-vs-one chance in the final seconds.
Carra: ‘Xhaka fantastic and a crucial point for Sunderland’
Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher:
“I thought Granit Xhaka was absolutely fantastic. Not just the goal. Head and shoulders above everyone else on that pitch tonight.
“When you think of the results this weekend, Burnley, who have come up, lost. Leeds, lost. It’s another point. You just keep ticking along. Because there will come a stage this season where Sunderland go a few games without picking points up.
“Keep ticking along and get as close to 35 or 36 points which is almost guaranteed survival in the Premier League.”