Xhaka denies Moyes winning return as Sunderland go fourth

David Moyes, the manager who oversaw a disastrous relegation for Sunderland eight years ago, found a very different club on his first return to the Stadium of Light. Back then, Sunderland were on a downward slope. Now, things are on the up.

- Miles Starforth

Régis Le Bris' impressive Sunderland moved up to fourth place ahead of Saturday's home game against Arsenal after a 1-1 draw against Moyes' Everton side.

A deflected strike from the impressive Granit Xhaka cancelled out Iliman Ndiaye's brilliant opening goal.

Everton had dominated much of the first half, and will have counted themselves unfortunate not to be further ahead at the break, with Sunderland uncharacteristically having been on the back foot on home turf for the first half hour.

It was a different story after the break, as Sunderland laid siege to the Everton goal, but they could not force a winner.

Still, the result moved the home side up to 18 points, almost halfway to safety, with just 10 games gone. That is a remarkable feat for a team which had been expected to be competing further down the table. They will face its biggest topflight challenge yet when Mikel Arteta brings the Premier League leaders to Wearside.