Goals from Danny Graham and Jermain Defoe gave Sunderland a shock 2-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.
Leon Osman came close to opening the scoring for the home side early on but the English midfielder was unable to guide his effort into the back of the net.
Roberto Martinez’s side dominated the early proceedings from that point but Costel Pantilimon was doing his best to stop the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley, who both tested their luck.
The visitors would come close midway through the first half as Jermain Defoe saw his striker deflect wide after hitting strike partner Connor Wickham.
The game headed into the break at 0-0, but it was Dick Advocaat’s side who came out looking the better and they broke the deadlock moments after the restart.
Jordi Gomez was the creator as his strike deflected off Danny Graham, who ran off celebrating his side’s opener.
Patrick van Aanholt almost made it 2-0 moments later as the visitors took advantage of Everton’s lacklustre second half start.
Another deflection then gave Sunderland breathing room with five minutes remaining as Adam Johnson’s strike hit Defoe and went past Tim Howard.