North East | Sunderland’s European hopes are still alive

Everton 1 - 3 Sunderland 

Sunderland kept their hopes of qualifying for major European competition as they came from behind to beat Everton.

Author | Lewis Whatley

Stadium | Hill Dickinson Stadium

The Black Cats, promoted via last season's play-off final at Wembley, last appeared in Europe during the 1973-74 Uefa Cup Winners' Cup and have spent more than four decades away from the continental stage.

They now head into next Sunday's final round of fixtures still with a chance of finishing as high as seventh.

All goals came in the second-half

After a forgettable first half, Everton moved ahead when Merlin Rohl's effort from the edge of the area took a heavy deflection off Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka and looped over goalkeeper Robin Roefs.

Sunderland improved significantly after the break and deservedly levelled through Brian Brobbey, who held off James Tarkowski before finishing confidently from Enzo le Fee's pass.

View from the home stands

Everton manager David Moyes will be frustrated by the manner of the equaliser, which came after Jake O'Brien's poor control allowed Sunderland to regain possession.

Le Fee then turned scorer in the 81st minute, reacting quickest after Everton failed to deal with a ball into the penalty area.

The visitors wrapped up the points in stoppage time as substitute Wilson Isidor, left unmarked at the back post, converted Habib Diarra's cross.