Mixed emotions for captain marvel

GRANIT Xhaka's first goal for Sunderland capped a brilliant start to the Premier League season for the captain but he bemoaned the "sloppy mistakes" early on against Everton.

- By CLIVE YOULTON

Monday night's 1-1 draw livened up for the home team after the break but Xhaka was honest enough to admit the early phases of the game were below the standards required.

The captain's deflected leveller followed Iliman Ndiaye's opener for Everton but despite a dominant second-half performance, the Black Cats couldn't score a second as Wilson Isidor missed a couple of big opportunities.

"We are a little bit disappointed because especially in front of our fans at home, we want to give them the three points," said Xhaka on safc. com.