Stead scores!

It might have been April Fools Day but as yet it appears this was not a trick, Jon Stead did indeed score a goal in a Sunderland shirt.

Not only that, but Sunderland travelled to in form Everton and did not come back pointless. In fact, had Rory Delap?s late strike been a few inches to the left, the joke would certainly have been on Everton on a day when Sunderland belied their Premiership position and came so close to recording their third win of the season.

Despite an early setback, conceding after only 5 minutes to a sloppy Leon Osman goal, Sunderland fought on and prevented what seemed destined for another predictable defeat.

But only 10 minutes later the long suffering and painstakingly loyal Black Cats fans, of whom there were around 1,000, finally got to the see the goal they wanted to see. Chris Brown flicked on a Grant Leadbitter corner and finally, after 23 hours and 18 minutes of Premiership football, Jonathan Stead was on hand to hammer in his first Sunderland goal from 3 yards out. It just wouldn?t be right to say he couldn?t have missed.

His and his team mates’ relief was clear to see, though that too did not last long as the lively James McFadden regained the lead 10 minutes later for Everton, capitalising on more poor defending as Sunderland failed to clear a Phil Neville throw in.

Everton had several chances to extend their lead and put the game out of sight, but Cahill and Osman were denied by Davis and McFadden by the woodwork, while a newly rejuvenated Jon Stead had two good chances of his own for Sunderland.

Everton paid for their missed chances when the impressive Delap rose to head in Whitehead?s looping cross with only 9 minutes to go. The former Southampton and Derby midfielder, this week playing on the left for the injured Arca, almost won it in the dying minutes too, with a rasping 35-yard shot that cannoned off the post.

Had this gone in it would have sent the travelling fans wild with delight, but a point away at Everton, 2 goals and, in particular, a Jon Stead Sunderland goal meant that they were already pretty satisfied with the day?s events.