Everton: Lucky One Point

The referee and linesman awarded Everton a penalty when actually, there was should not even be a shout.

Everton starts without Coleman who injured himself in the last game. Felli is also out injured and he will be missed.

Everton started the game with much impetus. Holding the ball well and spraying good passes. The first 10 minutes saw Sunderland giving Everton a couple of good chances with poor calls in their defence. Cahill even had the opportunity to run through on goal only to stop by Sunderland's goalkeeper in that one-on-one situation.

The Toffees then had another chance at Sunderland. Bainesy got through in the 13th minute, made a telling cross but was cleared by Bumbling Bramble. Corner taken by Bainesy once again only for Cahill to head it wide. Everton wins a corner in the 15th minute. A lovely floater by Drenthe only for Saha to miss the header altogether. What's more, no one was marking him.

Sunderland had their chances too. It was Sunderland's Bentner who had Hibbo sticking to him like a leech. The Sunderland's striker took a shot but was blocked by Hibbo. Sunderland then made their first forced change with Bramble taken out due to injury.

But against the run of play in the 25th minute, Everton went a goal down. Total defence failure! Jag should have been covering, but he was day dreaming and Distin and Hibbo had to rush in to cover for him, leaving the right channel open. Sunderland 0-1 Everton.

Suddenly, Everton stopped attacking. The wings looked non-existent.

Everton sputtering start to the 2nd half continues. But it was Ossie jinking run in the 50th minute that earned Everton a penalty. What happened? Ossie tripped over his own feet! Bainesy stood up and was counted when he cooly slotted the ball into the top right corner of the net. Sunderland 1-1 Everton.

For the next 20 minutes, Moyes kept to the same team when the fans are calling out for a proper striker. Moyes made a straight swap - Magaye in for Drenthe and in the 83rd minute, another straight change of Vellios for Saha. Final replacement, Faddie in for Cahill in the 86th minute.

Everton could have ended it in such a sweet note if any other players other than Distin was at the end of the ball. At the end, it's a good point for Everton. A very lucky game for the club.

Score: Sunderland 1-1 Everton
Scorer: Bainesy (Pen)
Assist: Nil
Subs: Magaye, Vellios, Faddie