As the early optimistic mood wanes due to a run of poor results, Everton visited the Stadium of Light in need of a boost. However, the home side began the season in fine form and would climb up to second with three points. It was Thierno Barry’s turn in this Barry/Beto revolving door, with the Blues crying out for a regular goalscorer.
Everton began as if it were August, with Jack Grealish and Illiman Ndiaye lively and the defence secure. The Blues were able to subdue the raucous atmosphere, and cause problems for the men in red and white. James Garner came close, but Ndiaye produced some magic with a mazy run and a curling finish off his left foot from the edge of the box to open the scoring. After Barry won the ball back from a defender, the Senegalese took charge and did the rest. On top, and with their opponents losing discipline, Everton threatened to make it two with Grealish hitting the post. But it was the young French forward who was unable to take his chance. After a teasing cross from the aforementioned Grealish, Barry scuffed his effort only yards out, agonisingly close to doubling the lead — and with it, a priceless boost of confidence.
This became a sliding-doors moment, and Sunderland became dominant on and off the ball, led by veteran midfielder Granit Xhaka. Everton were able to hold on until half time, largely thanks to Michael Keane, with multiple crucial tackles and blocks to protect the scoreline.
However, pressure told, and within a minute of the restart, Xhaka’s deflected effort ensured the tide had turned. The following 45 minutes became a training game, with one team dominating possession and the other restricted to their own half. The Blues failed to create anything of note, while corners and long throws tested the resolve of Jordan Pickford and co., but only one team showed any real endeavour. VAR was called upon as Keane blocked a cross with his arm, but it was deemed too close to be penalised and in a natural position.
David Moyes has been criticised for his passive changes, and his lack of trust in younger or new players added to the side since the summer. Moyes did nothing to appease those frustrated fans by turning to Dwight McNeil as opposed to Tyler Dibling. Predictably, Beto came on for Barry, and Alcaraz was introduced with limited time to make an impact. The latter had the freedom of Sunderland in injury time, but couldn’t keep his composure and failed either to pass or to shoot as recovering defenders had time to intervene.
Perhaps this 90-minute display encapsulated Everton’s campaign, after 35 minutes of solid, front-foot football with some scintillating moments by Grealish and Ndiaye in particular, followed by a shaky, passive defensive display and a lack of imagination up top.
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