Everton 1-3 Sunderland: Black Cats Keep European Hopes Alive With Comeback Win

Everton’s final game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium this season ended in disappointing fashion, as they fell to a 3–1 defeat against a Sunderland side still dreaming of European football in their first season back in the Premier League.

It was a poor performance from David Moyes’ men in the Scotsman’s 753rd Premier League game as a manager, with the Toffees collapsing late on against the Black Cats after taking a one-goal lead.

The home side went in front just before half-time, with a fortunate deflected goal from Merlin Röhl the only real highlight in a first half that lacked quality from either side.

However, Sunderland piled the pressure onto Moyes’ team and looked the far better side throughout, especially in the second half. Régis Le Bris’ men eventually equalised through a composed finish from Brian Brobbey, after the striker shrugged off James Tarkowski to score his seventh goal of the season.

The game flattened after the leveller, but the Black Cats always looked the more likely side to score next. With ten minutes remaining, Enzo Le Fée received the ball inside the box and calmly tapped home to put Sunderland deservedly in front.

The cherry on top for Sunderland came through Wilson Isidor, whose late strike secured a 3–1 victory, ending Everton’s hopes of Europe while keeping Sunderland’s ambitions very much alive.

The Black Cats moved into ninth place with the win and are now only two points behind Brighton in seventh after the Seagulls lost to Leeds earlier in the day. It is a testament to the job Le Bris has done, with many predicting Sunderland to go down at the start of the season, yet they now sit in the top half with one game remaining.

MATCH REPORT

The hosts started reasonably well at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but it was the away side who carried the greater threat, dominating possession in the early stages.

However, both teams looked lacklustre in the final third, with no real chances created during the opening half-hour. Sunderland were forced into an early defensive change, with Omar Alderete going off injured for Luke O’Nien, but Everton failed to capitalise.

Moyes’ men grew into the game during the latter stages of the half but still struggled to create anything clear-cut. James Garner had Everton’s first shot on target from distance, but Robin Roefs comfortably saved the effort. Tarkowski also tested the Dutch goalkeeper with a near-post header that forced another stop.

The Toffees continued to threaten and eventually made their pressure count through a fortunate goal from Röhl.

The German picked up the ball on the right-hand side before cutting inside and striking a low effort towards goal that Roefs initially appeared set to save comfortably.

But captain Granit Xhaka stuck out a leg, with the effort deflecting off the Swiss midfielder and wrongfooting Roefs, allowing Röhl to score his first Everton goal and give the hosts the lead just before half-time.

Sunderland emerged for the second half with more intensity and began threatening the hosts for the first time. A free-kick was swung deep towards Nordi Mukiele, who nearly squeezed in a volley from a tight angle, but Jordan Pickford reacted well to deny him with his feet.

Moyes’ side started to struggle and became increasingly reliant on counterattacks as Sunderland piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser. Le Bris’ side created several opportunities and finally found their breakthrough at the hour mark through Brobbey.

Jake O’Brien played a misplaced pass that was intercepted by Le Fée, and the Frenchman produced the game’s first real moment of quality with a brilliant through ball towards Brobbey.

The Dutch striker brushed past Tarkowski with ease before slotting home his seventh goal of the season to bring Sunderland level at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

It was Brobbey’s earliest Premier League goal of the season, with his previous six strikes all coming after the 59th minute.

The game levelled out after Sunderland’s equaliser, with both sides reverting to the slower tempo that defined much of the first half. However, the visitors still looked the more likely side to complete the turnaround.

And that is exactly what Le Bris’ side did.

With ten minutes remaining, provider turned goalscorer as Le Fée fired Sunderland into the lead.

Habib Diarra was played down the right-hand side and delivered a low cross towards the near post, where Isidor held off his marker before laying the ball back to substitute Chris Rigg. The youngster nudged it into Le Fée’s path, and the Frenchman’s scuffed strike crept beyond Pickford to send Sunderland into the top half.

Everton almost responded immediately through O’Brien. Tyrique George whipped in a brilliant cross towards the Irishman inside the six-yard box, and the defender powered a header towards goal, only for Roefs to produce an outstanding save with his chest.

It proved to be Everton’s best chance since their opener, as they struggled to create meaningful opportunities throughout the second half. Sunderland, meanwhile, continued to threaten on the counter and eventually secured the game in stoppage time.

Diarra was again released down the right-hand side and delivered another dangerous cross into the six-yard box after Seamus Coleman failed to clear. The ball eventually reached Isidor at the far post, and the Frenchman produced an excellent finish past Pickford to keep Sunderland’s European hopes alive.

Le Bris’ side climbed into the top half with the victory, leapfrogging Chelsea and Everton into ninth place on 51 points. They sit just one point behind Brentford in eighth and only two behind Brighton in sixth.

Sunderland now face Chelsea F.C. in the final Premier League game of the season as they attempt to complete a remarkable achievement by securing European football in their first campaign back in the top flight.

As for Everton, their continental ambitions are now over, with only a top-half finish left to fight for.

MOTM:

Enzo Le Fée