Everton 2, Sunderland 0

Jan 28 2010 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

Half-time brought more signs of disorganisation. The Black Cats lined up with Nosworthy swapping places with John Mensah and Cattermole on the field, only to decide his hamstring was not up to another 45 minutes. Nosworthy did not last much longer, Bruce using his final substitution with more than half-an-hour left.

As that suggested, the break had done little to disrupt the flow of the game. Only two excellent pieces of defending stopped Paulo Da Silva coming on with his side 4-0 down.

When Cahill threaded Donovan in, he calmly rounded Gordon and stroked the ball goalwards only for McCartney to hurtle in and clear off the line before clattering the post. And Mensah more than made amends when he was outpaced by Saha as they chased a Steven Pienaar pass. Mensah not only got back but also produced a brilliant slide tackle. It was the only straw they had to grasp at, but at least Sunderland’s determination had not flagged. Perhaps expecting another 7-1, Everton’s supporters were the more agitated in the second half.

But while Fellaini might have headed a McCartney cross off his fingertips and over the bar, no one in red-and-white was able to cause Tom Howard much bother until Reid put Sunderland’s first shot of the game on target. There were 79 minutes on the clock.

A minute later Jones tried for a second but shot a good 10 yards wide. When Everton’s fans chanted “Rafa sign him up!” Sunderland’s joined in.

Finally, in the 88th minute Howard had to produce a save of note to deny Zenden. He tipped over from Jones in added time.

Breathing space was something Sunderland had plenty off in October and November but it has not just been the weather turning cold which has put the shivers up a Sunderland side now uncomfortably near the relegation zone.