Sunderland level with Liverpool after draw at Everton

SUNDERLAND, England:

Sunderland came back from a goal down to draw with Everton 1-1 and moved into fourth spot in the English Premier League yesterday.

The Black Cats moved level with Liverpool and Bournemouth and continued to confound doubters on a stirring return to the top tier.

Sunderland were looking to win three successive top-flight games for the first time in a decade but went behind after 15 minutes, thanks to a solo effort from Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye.

The Senegal international gathered the ball on the right touchline around 40 metres from goal and dribbled and muscled his way past four defenders before striking a lovely left-footed shot past a static keeper.

Jack Grealish hit the post midway through the first half as Everton started to dominate and Thierno Barry sliced over the top from close in a few minutes later.

But Sunderland got back into the match immediately after the restart.

Captain Granit Xhaka's shot from outside the box took a deflection that gave Jordan Pickford in the Everton goal no chance.

The Black Cats were on top for most of the second period but could not get the goal that would have taken them above Manchester City and into second place.

"We lost the three points today in the first 25 minutes," Xhaka told broadcaster Sky Sports. "We were sloppy with the ball and made too many mistakes. On this level you get punished, but (the) second half was very good. We created many chances and with a bit more luck we could win this game."

Their next game is a mouth-watering home tie against leaders Arsenal on Saturday.

Everton, who were in 14th place and without a win in three games, take on Fulham, the team below them, the same day.

Coach David Moyes agreed they were on top in the opening stages and rued the missed chances.

"After 25 minutes I would have been really disappointed if I had left with only a point but as the game wore on, especially the second half, I am thrilled to get a point," Moyes said.

"We were abysmal in the second half. In the opening 25 minutes we should have been a couple of goals up but we couldn't get that second goal."

-AP