Everton scrape victory in sunderland

By Rhys Lewis
January 1 2006

Everton claimed a 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland to end 2005 on a high. The win came courtesy of a 92 minute winner from Tim Cahill, which left Sunderland absolutly devsastated having absolutly dominated the second half.

It was a poor game but that was not really a surprise considering both sides were desparate for the points. Little happened in the first half with both sides seemingly happy to keep clean sheets going into the break. The only real effort from Everton in the half was a long range effort from Tony Hibbert, which forced Kelvin Davis to tip it round the post. Everton could have already been 1-0 down before this if it wasn't for a great piece of defensive work from Nuno Valente. Sunderland found the Everton defence asleep and played Liam Lawrence in space only to see his excellent cross headed away brilliantly by Valente. The only other pieces of action of any note were shots by John Stead and Lawrence but both were comfortably saved by Nigel Martyn.

The second half was a completely different affair though still lacking in any quality. Sunderland came out looking to win the came and Everton did not know how th respond. Just minutes after the restart substitute Anthony Le Tallec on loan from Liverpool saw a header, which seemed destined for the bottom corner, somehow tipped wide by Nigel Martyn. John Stead went close soon after, seeing his deflected shot go inches wide. It was Liam Lawrences turn to feel unlucky after his powerful drive from 20 yards flashed past the post. Stead again came close when his curling effort again saw Nigel Martyn scrambling but relieved to see it go wide. Le Tallec then missed a good opportunity to give Sunderland the points, scuffing his effort wide. Soon after the outstanding James Beattie had a free kick from 30 yards that curled past the post with Davis seemingly struggling to get there. It was a goal that Beattie would have deserved because of his efforts, not a goal that Everton would have deserved.

Heading into stoppage time Sunderland must have been wondering how they were only going to get a point from this game, which they dominated. Just as the game was seemingly finished James Beattie won a corner in front of the Everton fans. From the resulting Kevin Kilbane corner Tim Cahill appeared from nowhere to head home the winner to send the travelling Evertonians absolutly ballistic. They knew this was a result that was not deserved but it was a crucial result. Everton have to use this result, not performance, to push up the table and finally end any thoughts of relegation.