Lads Held By Toffees

Sunderland had to settle for a point this evening as a spirited Everton held us to a 2-2 draw.

It was expected by many to be a case of after the Lord Mayors show tonight and in terms of performance it certainly was for Sunderland as Everton could probably count themselves unlucky not to have taken all three points.

Sunderland were missing Titus Bramble and Asamoha Gyan through injury, replaced by Anton Ferdinand & Darren Bent, who returned after a three game lay off.

Steve Bruce’s Chelsea destroyers got off to a poor start as Tim Cahill was allowed all the time in the world to nod in a Baines cross after 3 minutes.

Sunderland improved though and good work by Zenden on the right ended with a cross for Danny Welbeck to notch his 2nd goal in red and white from 6 yards.

The game then swung from end to end and Everton were looking the most likely to take the lead until Kieran Richardson, who looked clearly offside, crossed for Welbeck to head superbly across Howard and get his second of the game.

Sustained Everton pressure was rewarded when an Arteta shot hit Bardsley and sent the ball spinning in to the net.

Either side could have won it at the death. Welbeck could have had a hat-trick but his shot span wide and Jermaine Beckford missed a glorious chance right on full time when he fired over when clean through.

Sunderland will be happy to take a point against an Everton team who are well organised away from home and we are now unbeaten against all of last seasons top ten teams.

Star men: *** Welbeck

** Bardsley

* Cattermole