Sunderland 1-0 Everton

Sunderland record back-to-back victories under Paolo Di Canio whilst putting six points between themselves and the drop.

Stephane Sessegnon’s goal in first-half injury time was enough for Sunderland to see off the threat of Everton with neither side genuinely troubling the opposing goalkeeper.

Di Canio brought Jack Colback in at right-back in place of the injured Phil Bardsley, whilst Carlos Cuellar was passed fit to start.

Everton boss David Moyes was without Phil Jagielka so paired Sylvain Distin and Johnny Heitinga together at centre-half. Leon Osman was passed fit to start on the right-hand side of midfield.

Osman it was who had the game’s first chance, closing down Simon Mignolet and blocking the Belgian’s clearance.

With Osman scampering through on goal, the diminutive wide-man brushed Mignolet on his way through, referee Phil Dowd rescuing Mignolet by awarding the Lads a free-kick.

A minute later and Danny Graham ought to have opened his Black Cats’ account when he raced onto a through ball before being denied by on-rushing Everton ‘keeper Tim Howard.

Sunderland’s best chances of the first period were a string of Sebastian Larsson free-kicks and the first came after 12 minutes, the Swede bending just over the Toffees’ crossbar from 25 yards.

Not long after, the Black Cats’ number seven bent another effort narrowly wide of the far post.

In first-half injury time Sunderland took the lead when Sessegnon drove down the right-hand flank and into the penalty area, shooting low under Howard’s weak palm.

Half-time: 1-0

Seven minutes into the second-half, the impeccable Danny Rose won a 50-50 challenge before scampering forward to drill wide of Howard’s left-hand post on his left foot.

Sunderland were briefly in control of the game, enjoying their best spell of territory and possession, but were unable to seriously test Howard in the Blues’ goal.

Everton sub Nikica Jelavic could have done better just after the hour when he stooped with flick Leighton Baines’ left-wing cross just wide of the far-post.

Mignolet made a good stop just 60 seconds later, stretching his leg to block and effort which Jelavic deflected as the ball bounced off his foot.

With 13 minutes left, Mignolet picked up a yellow card as he caught Larsson’s overhit 50 yard backpass.

Everton won an indirect free-kick from 12 yards and regular set-piece taker Baines lashed goalwards, the Black Cats’ holding firm to block the powerful strike.

Six minutes from time Adam Johnson ought to have done better when he progressed down the right flank and into the penalty area, shooting tamely at Howard on his right-foot.

Full-time: 1-0

A poor game all told, but the Black Cats just shaded a contest which saw two teams struggle to threaten the opposing ‘keeper.

The win means Di Canio now has six points from an available nine with four left to play, leaving Sunderland six points above the drop zone at this crucial late stage.

Sunderland: Mignolet; Colback, O’Shea, Cuellar, Rose; Johnson, Larsson (Vaughan), N’Diaye, McClean; Sessegnon (Mangane); Graham.

Subs not used: Westwood (GK), Kilgallon, Mandron, Marrs & Laidler.

Everton: Howard; Coleman, Heitinga, Distin, Baines; Osman (c) (Barkley), Gibson (Jelavic), Fellaini, Pienaar; Miralles & Anichebe (Naismith).

Subs not used: Mucha (GK), Oviedo, Nevill & Duffy.