Xhaka rescues Sunderland against struggling Everton

Captain Granit Xhaka’s second-half equaliser earned Sunderland a point in a 1-1 draw against Everton.

- By REBECCA JOHNSON

The clash was Everton boss David Moyes’s first visit to the Stadium of Light since he oversaw the Wearsiders’ relegation from the Premier League in 2017 and his current side took the lead when Iliman Ndiaye struck after 15 minutes with his fourth league goal of the campaign.

However, the hosts levelled seconds after the break as Xhaka’s effort bounced off James Tarkowski’s foot and into the net for his first goal for the club.

The draw lifted Sunderland up to fourth in the table and left 14th-placed Everton without a win in their last three games.

Sunderland were unchanged from their 2-1 win over Chelsea, while Thierno Barry was Everton’s sole change from the defeat to Tottenham.

Former Black Cats goalkeeper Jordan Pickford received a warm reception ahead of kickoff as he came up against his boyhood club for the first time since moving to Merseyside in 2017.