XHAK OF THE NET AS CATS CLAW WAY BACK

Granit is rock solid as Mackems show they have top-flight mettle

- CHRISTOPHER BEESLEY

SUNDERLAND showed the returning Jordan Pickford and former manager David Moyes they are going to make a much better fist of staying in the Premier League this season.

Pickford and Moyes departed the Stadium of Light in 2017 after the Black Cats relegation.

But despite having to settle for 'only' climbing into the top four, rather than rising to second above Manchester City and Liverpool, if Regis Le Bris' Mackems continue in this form they can banish any fears of a swift return to the Championship before January is out as Granit Xhaka cancelled out Iliman Ndiaye's spectacular opener for a share of the spoils.

The hosts went into this game six points above Everton having won at Chelsea last time out - something their visitors have failed to do in the competition since 1994.

It was the Merseysiders who started the brightest though, with James Garner fizzing a low shot just wide.