Black Cats move to 4th spot after draw with Everton

The Black Cats moved level with Liverpool and Bournemouth and continued to confound doubters on a stirring return to the top tier.

Sunderland was looking to win three successive top-flight wins for the first time in a decade but went behind after 15 minutes thanks to a solo effort from Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye.

The Senegal international gathered the ball on the right touchline around 40 meters from goal and dribbled and muscled his way past four defenders before striking a lovely left-foot shot past a static keeper.

Jack Grealish hit the post midway through the first half as Everton started to dominate and Thierno Barry sliced over the top from close in a few minutes later.

But Sunderland got back into the match immediately after the restart.Captain Granit Xhaka’s shot from outside the box took a deflection that gave Jordan Pickford in the Everton goal no chance.The Black Cats were on top for most of the second period but could not get the goal that would have taken it above Manchester City and into second place.

“We lost the three points today in the first 25 minutes,” Xhaka told broadcaster Sky Sports. “We were sloppy with the ball and made too many mistakes. On this level you get punished, but second half was very good. We created many chances and with a bit more luck we can win this game.”

Its next game is a mouth-watering home tie against leader Arsenal on Saturday.

Everton, which was in 14th place and without a win in three games, takes on Fulham, the team below it, the same day.Coach David Moyes agreed his team was on top in the opening stages and he rued the missed chances.

“After 25 minutes I would have been really disappointed if I had left with only a point but as the game wore on, especially the second half, I am thrilled to get a point,” Moyes said.

“We were abysmal in the second half. In the opening 25 minutes we should have been a couple of goals up but we couldn’t get that second goal.”