Recap

Everton 1-3 Sunderland: Late drama, resilient defending and a hard-earned point in a tense Premier League meeting

Everton chased the game, Sunderland controlled key spells, and both sides left with reasons to believe after a fiercely contested draw

Sunderland propelled themselves right into the European picture and all but ended Everton’s ambitions as they came from behind to win 3-1 at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

With Manchester City winning the FA Cup, an eighth-place finish will be enough to secure UEFA Conference League qualification.

Everton looked well placed to push on after Merlin Rohl’s first goal for the club put them in front heading into half-time, and at one stage, the Toffees were occupying eighth spot.

Yet Sunderland flipped the script. Brian Brobbey capitalised on Jake O’Brien’s mistake to restore parity in the 59th minute, before Enzo Le Fee put Sunderland ahead after goalkeeper Robin Roefs had made a brilliant save at the other end.

Wilson Isidor put the seal on a wonderful victory for Sunderland, who surged into ninth, with Everton – winless in six games – drop to 11th.

How the match unfolded

With James Garner having had the first shot on target via a hopeful punt at Roefs from range, Everton created their first real chance when James Tarkowski tested Sunderland’s goalkeeper at the near post, before Beto headed wide moments later.

Everton’s improvement was rewarded in the 43rd minute, as Rohl’s strike from the edge of the area deflected in off Granit Xhaka.

Iliman Ndiaye wasted a brilliant chance to play Beto in early in the second half, and Everton were punished when O’Brien’s error led to Le Fee freeing Brobbey, who held off Tarkowski and fired home.

Le Fee turned scorer in the 81st minute, and Roefs then thwarted O’Brien, making a stunning save with his shoulder to keep out a close-range header.

Seamus Coleman came on for his final home Everton appearance, but he was partly at fault as Isidor swept in to cap off Sunderland’s comeback in the first minute of stoppage time.