Premier League - Everton dismiss poor Sunderland

Eurosport - Sun, 03 May 18:21:00 2009

Everton moved into fifth place in the Premier League with a 2-0 win away against a desperately disappointing Sunderland side.

2008-2009 Premier League Sunderland-Everton Steven Pienaar - 0

Steven Pienaar (pictured) and Marouane Fellaini scored second-half goals as David Moyes's side eased past the Black Cats, who remain in real relegation trouble.

Sunderland have won only one of their last 10 matches and looked bereft of confidence.

They were not helped by the crowd at the Stadium of Light which, while 41,000-strong, was never slow to voice its frustration.

It showed the Teesside public's lack of faith in their team's attacking efforts that the second goal on 71 minutes prompted a mass exodus of fans.

Such pessimism was well-founded; Sunderland have averaged less than a goal a game in the Premier League and last scored twice against Stoke at the Stadium of Light on February 7.

Striker Djibril Cisse looked totally uninterested and was replaced by the equally ineffective David Healy just after the hour, while Kenwyne Jones provided more perspiration than inspiration.

The first half was an atrocious spectacle in which any semblance of goalmouth action was replaced by a series of cynical fouls and minor injuries.

First Tim Cahill and Steed Malbranque clashed heads, leading the latter's pate to be treated with a white paste which, from a distance, looked like a giant bald spot.

Next it was Anton Ferdinand's turn to hit the deck after tangling with Jo, then Tim Howard, Jo himself and Danny Collins added their names to a lengthy list of walking wounded, although none had to come off.

As far attacking play, Everton supplied most of that. Cahill struck a long shot straight at Marton Fulop, while the Sunderland keeper did well to punch a Cahill header clear.

Calum Davenport and Grand Leadbitter picked up near-identical bookings for pulling back opponents by their shirts and the latter was lucky not to see a second yellow card for a tackle on Fellaini.

Pienaar was the best player on the pitch by a distance and it was apt that he scored the opener three minutes into the second period.

The South African made a clever run to latch on to Jo's through-ball and took a touch before placing the ball through the legs of Fulop.

The goal prompted Sunderland into their best spell of the game, although the closest they came was with a Collins header straight at Howard.

Fellaini finished the hosts off on 71 minutes, when Sunderland failed to cut out a low Pienaar cross from the right and the Belgian midfielder tucked his shot into the bottom-left corner.

As the crowd headed for the car park, Sunderland offered no hope of a dramatic comeback save for a moment when Joseph Yobo tangled with Jones as he ran towards goal.

It was dismal stuff and it leaves Ricky Sbragia's side on 35 points, four clear of the relegation zone.

On this form, Sunderland's only hope of survival is the equally desperate form of the teams below them.

Alex Chick / Eurosport

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  1. Not really an indicator of how we will perform against­ Chelsea in the final but at least we have won away from­ home and conceded no goals. About three weeks to go so­ lets get really motivated to perform with skill and­ pride at Wembley.

    From WILLIAM, on Sun 3 May 8:39PM

  2. Sunderland really look to have taken massive strides­ back from last season, the midfield 4 today for­ Sunderland looked completely clueless, and Jones and­ Cisse just don't work together. And when you've­ got that many troubles going forwards, having a defence­ unable to deal with simple pass and move around the­ box... I think Sunderland and whoever loses next week­ between boro and the geordies will go down, only hope­ Sunderland have really is both Newcastle and boro fail­ to get 4 points from the last 3 games. based on last­ few weeks performance, Sundlerand won't get­ anything from there's.

    From goodisonpark_owner, on Sun 3 May 8:36PM

  3. BORO ON TEESSIDE,SUNDERLAND ON WEARSIDE AND NEWCASTLE­ ON TYNESIDE-ALL THREE ON THE POORSIDE !

    From Gordon, on Sun 3 May 8:19PM

  4. yet again from sunderland, no passion, no idea's,­ only the odd 1 shud keep his shirt n wear it with­ pride...41,000 n ya would think they'd show more­ balls n battle....well done everton...ya well n truly­ deserved all 3 points.

    From wilkinson764, on Sun 3 May 7:55PM

  5. ITS TOOK US A WHILE TO GET ABOVE VILLA HOPE WE CAN STAY­ THERE ,GOOD WIN TODAY

    From warner.malcolm, on Sun 3 May 7:47PM

  6. SUNDERLAND need PETER REID back he was our best­ premiership manager ever.

    From powermouse, on Sun 3 May 7:46PM

  7. No rhyshall21- we should have stuck with Mick McCarthy­ And what a wally of a reporter -not knowing that­ Sunderland is on Wearside and its Middleburp who lose­ on Teesside

    From Disgusted, on Sun 3 May 7:25PM

  8. it looks like SUNDERLAND want to play newcastle and THE­ BORO in the championship next season.

    From powermouse, on Sun 3 May 7:20PM

  9. Sunderland,Newcastle,Middlesbrough,i don't think­ you would get a good team if you put all the players­ together!

    From kevviasafc, on Sun 3 May 7:16PM

  10. Whats happening at Sunderland, the defence is rubbish,­ the front two are not performing, and the rest are­ running around like headless chickens.
    Theres no spirit­ or pride in the team and the management just sit there­ and watch.
    Is Ricky the person for the job, dosn't­ seem able to lift the squad.
    I can see the worst­ happening. The results will not go our way all the­ time.

    From ALAN, on Sun 3 May 7:12PM

  11. middlesborough on teesside !! sunderland on­ wearside,newcastle on tyne side,just for those that­ dont know!!

    From granddad pops, on Sun 3 May 7:08PM

  12. I hope Eurosport are more accurate in the match­ reporting than calling Sunderland Teesiders (para 4).­ Only 40 miles out! Obviously a southern wus who thinks­ the world ends at Watford Gap.

    From graham.pearson19, on Sun 3 May 7:05PM

  13. Yeah cameron sat up and watched it live with my mate­ and a 12 year old single malt,night was going great­ until the fight started.Who could beat Manny­ Paquiao?honestly couldn't see­ Cotto,Mosley,Margarito,Marquez or even Mayweather jr­ living with him,he could probably go as high as junior­ middleweight,just awesome.Khan is the only fight left­ for Hatton and could be a ticket back to a big marquee­ fight against Cotto.

    From jack torrance, on Sun 3 May 7:03PM

  14. I can't believe Tony K still comes on all the SAFC­ articles and talks @#$% when Newcastle are in a worse­ state at the moment.

    From adam.oxberry, on Sun 3 May 6:58PM

  15. We really should of stuck with Keane

    From rhyshall21, on Sun 3 May 6:58PM

  16. Jasoptimum851
    So you're an Everton 'fan'­ are you - i've noticed some of your words of wisdom­ elsewhere today.
    I hope Everton get absolutely­ annihilated in the Cup Final - as will most people who­ read your bile.
    You do your club proud . . . . . NOT!!!

    From cameron w, on Sun 3 May 6:54PM

  17. A dismal performance but no surprises this w/e really,­ bottom of the table was never gonna move much,Hull will­ get beat off Villa and it's as we were­ basically.Next two games are the big ones as we'll­ get blebbed off Chelsea and the Mags will get sodomised­ off Villa.

    From jack torrance, on Sun 3 May 6:54PM

  18. Well i was close!
    jack, your club is so lucky it has­ NUFC to bail them out of the s(hit).
    I don't know­ why we get all these poisonous posts from your fellow­ safc fans; you should be thanking us!!!!
    However jack­ imagine this, Toon win their next 2 games; both at home­ - stranger things have happened jack. Does it send­ shivers down your spine jack!
    And what about the­ Hitman?
    Time to call it a day huh Ricky . . . . . in­ fact time for both Rickys to call it a day i think!!!!

    From cameron w, on Sun 3 May 6:50PM

  19. Since when has Sunderland been on Teesside? We have our­ own share of worries on the real Teesside!

    From acklam2020, on Sun 3 May 6:49PM

  20. hi, for a kick off Sunderland are not on Teeside. But­ the comments on Sunderlands football ability are true.­ The fans have a right to be frustrated when some­ players dont put any effort in for the high­ wages
    Dennis

    Aycliffe

    From DENNIS, on Sun 3 May 6:47PM
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