Sunderland push for Europe after strong success against Everton
With both clubs sitting in mid table and seeing their European hopes fade away after sequences without victories in recent weeks it was perhaps no surprise to witness a clear lack of quality during the opening stages.
Neither team looked particularly threatening in attack yet the Black Cats controlled possession leaving the home supporters frustrated by the hosts lack of drive.
The opening effort on target came after thirty five minutes when a tame long range shot from James Garner was gathered by Robin Roefs but the Dutch goalkeeper was soon called into better action to push James Tarkowskis flicked header wide at the near post and out for a corner.
David Moyes men turned up the pressure as half time neared and soon after Beto missed Kiernan Dewsbury Halls cross they went ahead in fortunate fashion.
Merlin Rohl cut inside from the right and fired a low shot that took a nasty deflection off Granit Xhaka en route to goal with the Germans first goal in Everton colours confirming the Toffees lead in a ninth Premier League home match at half time this season only four teams have managed that more often.
Everton had lost just one of their previous eight such games but a sluggish beginning to the second half combined with greater intensity from the visitors left nerves mounting around the Hill Dickinson.
For good reason too as soon after Jordan Pickford tipped Trai Humes deflected cross over the bar a poor touch from Jake OBrien fell to Enzo Le Fee who released Brian Brobbey to blast in his seventh Sunderland goal and the first to arrive before the hour mark.
Opportunities remained scarce following the equaliser yet with Everton having shipped two goals or more in each of their last five games without a win their lack of belief eventually proved costly.
A neat Sunderland passing move ended with Chris Rigg setting up Le Fee to fire home the winner even though Pickford managed to get a hand to the effort.
OBriens difficult day worsened when his close range header was blocked by Roefs shoulder before he was substituted and replaced by departing Everton captain Seamus Coleman who leaves as the clubs record Premier League appearance maker.
He could only look on as Habib Diarras low cross ran untouched across the six yard box to the far post where Wilson Isidor was on hand to seal the victory.
Everton thus failed to win their last home league fixture for just the third occasion in eleven seasons with a meagre haul of one success in six outings versus newly promoted sides largely explaining their three point gap to the top eight.
Sunderlands first victory in five games lifts them above their hosts and Chelsea the team they meet on what promises to be a fascinating final weekend.