Xhaka equalizes, Sunderland 1-1 Everton, closing the gap on Liverpool.
Everton took the lead through Ndiaye, but Sunderland exploded after the break: Xhaka equalized in the 42nd second of the second half. Everton only had 38.3% possession and no shots on target.
Sunderland drew 1-1 against Everton in the 10th round of the Premier League, with Granit Xhaka equalizing in the 42nd second of the second half. Iliman Ndiaye had opened the scoring in the 15th minute. The result puts Sunderland in fourth place, behind Liverpool, both teams having 18 points.
The key moment: Xhaka's one-touch finish.
Just 42 seconds into the second half, Enzo Le Fee unleashed a long-range shot that rebounded, and Xhaka pounced on a one-touch finish. The ball deflected off Tarkowski, hit the underside of the crossbar, and flew into Pickford's net, leveling the score at 1-1. This was Xhaka's first Premier League goal of the season.
Main developments
Everton started confidently and nearly opened the scoring within seconds when James Garner's volley from outside the box rattled Robin Roefs' goal. In the 15th minute, Iliman Ndiaye sprinted to steal the ball from Sadiki on the right, dribbled past three players, and curled a powerful shot past Roefs to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
After the goal, Everton maintained the pressure. In the 22nd minute, Jack Grealish's low shot hit the post. Just a few minutes later, Thierno Barry had a golden opportunity from about three meters out but shot over the bar. Sunderland played disjointedly and lacked creativity; Sadiki and Mukiele received yellow cards in quick succession within two minutes. The first half ended after three minutes of added time with Everton leading 1-0.
The turning point came early in the second half when Xhaka scored. From then on, Sunderland took the lead. In the 49th minute, Le Fee's long-range shot deflected off a defender, forcing Pickford into a difficult save. The home team pressed high, forcing Everton to retreat and struggle to build attacks.
In the 57th minute, manager David Moyes substituted Thierno Barry for Beto. Less than five minutes later, Everton suffered a setback when goalscorer Ndiaye left the field due to injury, making way for McNeil. Sunderland continued to create chances: Isidor had a powerful run in the 71st minute but couldn't convert it into a goal.
Sunderland appealed for penalties twice in the 64th and 73rd minutes when the ball struck Gueye and Keane's hands, but both were denied after VAR intervention. The home team increased the pressure, while Everton mostly defended.
Gameplay and pressing: Sunderland dominated after the break.
The statistics clearly showed the reversal of fortunes: Everton only had 38.3% possession in the second half and no shots on target. Sunderland increased the tempo, narrowing the space in the midfield, forcing their opponents to either pass back or play long balls. In this context, moments from Le Fee and Xhaka helped the home team control the tempo and maintain a consistent attacking trajectory.
Selective statistics
| Index | Value |
|---|---|
| Score | Sunderland 1-1 Everton |
| Goal scorer | Iliman Ndiaye 15' (Everton); Granit Xhaka sec 42 second half (Sunderland) |
| A noteworthy situation | Grealish's shot hit the post in the 22nd minute; Barry's shot went over the bar from about 3 meters. |
| Penalty card | Sadiki and Mukiele received yellow cards in quick succession within two minutes. |
| First half injury time | 3 minutes |
| Everton's second half | Possession 38.3%; 0 shots on target |
| VAR | Penalties were denied to Sunderland in the 64th and 73rd minutes (handballs by Gueye and Keane). |
Impact on the rankings
With one point, Sunderland moved into fourth place, closing the gap on Liverpool as both teams have 18 points. Meanwhile, Everton missed opportunities to pull ahead after being outplayed in the second half.
Personnel Notes
Ndiaye shone when Senegal beat Mauritania 4-0 to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and joined Everton from Marseille in 2024.
