Sunderland 1-1 Everton: Full Time Match Report

26 December 2009 16:56
Fellaini[LNB]MAROUANE FELLAINI proved the hero of the hour as his late strike rescued a valuable point for Everton at Sunderland this afternoon.[LNB]The Belgian international smashed home Tony Hibbert's cross after the Black Cats failed to clear the ball to send the travelling supporters into raptures.[LNB]For long periods it looked like being another frustrating afternoon but David Moyes' men showed their typical resilience to fight back and claim a fourth successive draw.[LNB]Darren Bent had given Steve Bruce's side a 17th minute lead when heading home Kenwyne Jones' cross but an improved second half showing from the away side saw them to the draw which keeps them two points outside the Premier League relegation zone.[LNB]After the experimentation of last week's Europa League match with BATE Borisov, manager David Moyes recalled his senior stars though with injuries still rife throughout the squad, though the makeshift defensive pairing of Johnny Heitinga and Lucas Neill was asked to fill the void as they did so well at Chelsea.[LNB]However a sign that Everton's luck may be on the rise was captain Phil Neville's name on the teamsheet; out since September when injured against Fulham the skipper's presence came as pleasant surprise to all Evertonians.[LNB]Nine minutes in and Leon Osman struck side-footed from the edge of the area only to see his strike shave the outside of Fulop's left hand post; a melee in the box allowed the ball to arrive at the midfielder's feet.[LNB]Osman, who played in the Group I defeat last Thursday, started the game brightly and though Sunderland were buoyed by a bumper home crowd it was the neat passing of Steven Pienaar and Leighton Baines on the Blues' left which allowed for the most meaningful forays of the opening period.[LNB]Indeed top scorer Louis Saha went close twice in quick succession as Moyes' men settled in a comfortable rhythm.[LNB]However Everton were knocked off their stride in clinical fashion 18 minutes in as the Black Cats registered with their first attack of any substance.[LNB]Darren Bent out jumped Heitinga to head into Kenwyne Jones' path and the frontman returned the favour with a fine cross into the area which Bent duly dispatched past Tim Howard.[LNB]Sunderland, now with their tails up, almost struck again as Bent swept Jordan Henderson's cross goalwards only for Neill to clear off the line.[LNB]Without question the goal rattled Everton; their passing was suddenly wayward and the movement minimal- the growing sense of frustration was palpable.[LNB]The rest of the half did little to improve the mood of the Everton faithful and though enjoying the majority of possession following the goal, Moyes' men created little with it.

Source: Liverpool_Echo