Cats cannot afford to let standards slip - Xhaka

Granit Xhaka believes Sunderland did enough to warrant their point against Everton, but has told his teammates that they cannot afford to let their standards slip on the training ground.

- by Phil Smith

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka in action against Everton at the Stadium of Light.

Xhaka told Sky Sports that he believes the roots of a poor first half hour from Sunderland, in which the visitors took the lead through Iliman Ndiaye, were laid in what he felt was a subpar final training session before the game.

Xhaka's first goal for the club helped to rescue a point in a much improved display from the hosts after the half-hour mark.

"To be honest, we lost the three points in the first 20, 25 minutes in my opinion," Xhaka admitted after the draw.