Sunderland Vs Everton: The Black Cats Maintain Unbeaten Home Record With 1-1 Draw

Last Updated:November 04, 2025, 08:21 IST

Granit Xhaka's deflected goal earned Sunderland a 1-1 draw with Everton, lifting the Black Cats into the Premier League top four.

Granit Xhaka (center) celebrates scoring the equaliser against Everton. (AP Photo)

Sunderland climbed into the Premier League’s top four after Granit Xhaka’s deflected strike secured a 1-1 draw against Everton on Monday. A win would have moved the Black Cats to second place, but they were outplayed in the first half and trailed due to Iliman Ndiaye’s impressive solo effort.

Everton missed opportunities to capitalise on their first-half dominance, with Thierno Barry missing a clear chance and Jack Grealish hitting the post.

Sunderland equalised less than a minute into the second half when Xhaka’s shot deflected off James Tarkowski, beating England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford on his return to the Stadium of Light.

The home side then appeared more likely to secure all three points, but Wilson Isidor squandered Sunderland’s best chance for victory.

“The first 25 minutes were not good enough," Xhaka told Sky Sports. “At this level, you get punished, but the second half was very good."

The draw maintains Sunderland’s unbeaten home record and their strong start to their first top-flight campaign in eight seasons.

Everton now sit five points clear of the bottom three in 14th place, but their lack of a prolific striker once again cost them a victory.

“For 20 to 30 minutes, I thought I’d be disappointed going home with a point. By the end of the game, I was pleased we got a point from it," said Everton boss David Moyes.

“We missed a big chance to make it 2-0, and because we didn’t take it, it gave Sunderland confidence and the crowd something to get behind."

Ndiaye gave the visitors the lead in the 15th minute with a moment of brilliance, weaving through four Sunderland defenders before scoring his fourth goal of the season.

Grealish then hit the post from long range, but Barry’s miss will be remembered by Everton fans travelling back to Merseyside. The Frenchman, who has yet to score since his £27 million move from Villarreal in July, missed a golden opportunity from Grealish’s cross.

Despite a poor first half, Sunderland equalised just 44 seconds into the second half when Xhaka scored his first goal since joining from Bayer Leverkusen.

The draw places Sunderland above Tottenham and Chelsea, level on points with Liverpool. However, they will need to improve to maintain their unbeaten run at the Stadium of Light when leaders Arsenal visit on Saturday.

With AFP Inputs

Feroz Khan

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...Read More

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...

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News sports Sunderland Vs Everton: The Black Cats Maintain Unbeaten Home Record With 1-1 Draw

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