Source: Daily_Mail
Sunderland 1 Everton 1: Fellaini's the best at filling in anywhere, says Moyes
The versatile footballer can often be condemned by the very virtue that makes him cherished. But not at Everton, not this season. [LNB]As David Moyes rattled off a mournful roll-call of the injured and missing - 10 in all, he said - Marouane Fellaini's importance grew name by name. [LNB]At 6ft 4in, Fellaini is usually head and shoulders above others and he is bound to stand out against Burnley today. [LNB] Versatile: after helping out in defence, Marouane Fellaini hails his late equaliser[LNB]On Saturday at the Stadium of Light, it was no different. There he was, stationed in front of a makeshift back four, winning header after header against Kenwyne Jones. [LNB]Then he was briefly at left-back in the second half, then he was in the right place in the Sunderland penalty area to score a most deserved 85th-minute equaliser. [LNB]It was like having two players in one, which in Everton's situation is welcome. That explains Moyes's gratitude and his statement that Fellaini is now as good a midfielder as there is in the Premier League.[LNB]Bent had given Sunderland the lead[LNB] 'That was probably as good a midfield performance as I've seen this season,' Moyes said.[LNB] 'He's turning into an outstanding player. He looked a top player today.'[LNB] Moyes offered a half-complaint about Everton's finances and the fact that he will be only in the loan market next month, but in his boardroom they may point out that the then 20-year-old Fellaini cost a reported £15million when he arrived from Standard Liege 16 months ago.That made him the most expensive player on the pitch. [LNB]'We've played him that way (defensively) a few times,' added Moyes. 'When he came he was a bit indisciplined because of his inexperience, and that's still the case, but in time that's what he'll be.[LNB] 'He never was a striker. He played up front for us when we didn't have any strikers. There might be moments in games when I toss him up front. The boy can play in two or three positions.' [LNB]Everton had 67 per cent of possession and Fellaini's goal was the culmination of pressure that started as soon as Sunderland scored.[LNB] That was the 17th minute, before which Leon Osman hit a post and Louis Saha missed the first of several chances. [LNB]MATCH FACTSSunderland (4-4-2) Fulop 4; Bardsley 5, Mensah 6(Nosworthy 71min, 6) Da Silva 6, McCartney 5; Malbranque 4 (Zenden 58,6) Cana 5, Henderson 6, Reid 6; Bent 7, Jones 6. Booked: Mensah. [LNB]Everton (4-1-3-2) Howard 6; Hibbert 6, Neill 6, Heitinga 5, Baines6; Fellaini 8; Bilyaletdinov 5, Osman 6 (Yakubu 69, 6) Pienaar 7;Cahill 6, Saha 5. Booked: Cahill, Saha, Bilyaletdinov. [LNB]Man of thematch: Marouane Fellaini. Referee: Martin Atkinson.[LNB] Then Darren Bent rose superbly to nod down to Jones, who responded with a pearl of a cross that Bent met at full pelt.[LNB] In that moment you could see why Liverpool are considering a swap proposal in order to get Jones, despite his inconsistency. [LNB]Jordan Henderson has brought a lot this season, prompting premature England talk, and he created an opening for Bent to make it 2-0 on 20 minutes. [LNB]But Lucas Neill made the first of two goal-line clearances. Had either gone in, Sunderland would surely have had their first victory in six attempts. [LNB]But Steve Bruce was left rueful and, having seen John Mensah limp off, Bruce was also angry about the FA's extended ban for Michael Turner. [LNB]On hearing of the FA's action, Bruce said he 'had to walk out of the training ground because I felt physically ill. I was just thinking to myself: "What the hell is all that about?"' Bruce will be feeling sick again today should Sunderland record a sixth consecutive away defeat at Blackburn. [LNB] EVERTON v Burnley: Captain Neville ready to return after four-month injury hellSale or return: Everton boss Moyes keen to offload Jo back to Man City EVERTON FC
