Everton 2, Sunderland 0

Jan 28 2010 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

FINDING space at Goodison Park is normally very tricky. But Sunderland’s generosity last night gifted Everton plenty of it, and pushed them further into the congested bottom half of the table.

Designed for the days when men in flat caps stood shoulder to shoulder, the Toffees’ antiquated ground is more than a little cramped by 21st Century standards.

But with Sky TV in attendance there was plenty of space for spectators, with large blue gaps in the home end and only 600 supporters travelling from Wearside.

There was just as much space between the red-and-white shirts on the field – all the invitation an in-form Everton needed to extend Sunderland’s miserable run.

At their best, the Black Cats play in a not dissimilar style to last night’s hosts – sometimes direct, usually aggressive and always pressing all over the field.

But despite reuniting Lee Cattermole and Lorik Cana in the heart of a midfield which set the early-season tone for Sunderland, they were an awful long way from their best.