Sunderland staged a second-half fightback to beat Everton 3-1 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and boost their hopes of European qualification by climbing to ninth in the Premier League.
Everton were on course to boost their own chances of a top-eight finish when Merlin Rohl scored his first goal for the club via a deflection in the first half but they ended up being booed off by the home fans after the visitors completed a stunning turnaround.
Black Cats’ Second-Half Surge
Brian Brobbey scored their 59th-minute equaliser, finishing emphatically at the near post after showing pace and strength to hold off James Tarkowski following a misplaced pass by Jake O’Brien.
Enzo Le Fee put Regis Le Bris’ side ahead when he turned home from close range after being teed up by Chris Rigg in the 81st minute, with Wilson Isidor adding a stoppage-time third when he finished brilliantly from fellow substitute Habib Diarra’s low cross.
In between Sunderland’s second and third goals, O’Brien missed a glorious chance to level for Everton when he sent a close-range header too close to Robin Roefs from Tyrique George’s cross.
Player Ratings and Key Performances
Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka earned a rating of 7. Enzo Le Fee was named Player of the Match with a rating of 8.
Other Sunderland player ratings include: Robin Roefs (7), Lutsharel Geertruida (7), Nordi Mukiele (7), Omar Alderete (6), Reinildo Mandava (7), Jenson Hume (6), Edouard Sadiki (6), Benji Angulo (6), Brian Brobbey (7), Niall Huggins (8), Aymen Talbi (6), Chris Rigg (7), Wilson Isidor (7), and Habib Diarra (7).
Everton’s ratings included: Jordan Pickford (5), Jake O’Brien (4), James Tarkowski (6), Michael Keane (6), Vitaliy Mykolenko (6), Tim Iroegbunam (5), James Garner (6), Merlin Rohl (7), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (6), Iliman Ndiaye (5), and Beto (5).
Everton subs that played got the following ratings: Andy Lonergan (6), Lewis Warrington (6), Dwight McNeil (n/a), and Seamus Coleman (n/a).
European Qualification Hopes
The victory puts Sunderland just one point behind Brentford, who occupy eighth-place following a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, meaning the promoted Black Cats will host 10th-placed Chelsea on the final day in a potential European shootout.
Everton, meanwhile, will head to Tottenham in their final fixture knowing their top-eight hopes are all but over after their fans vented their frustration at a defeat which leaves the Toffees three points off eighth place in 11th, without a win in six games.
The defeat made for an unhappy final home game for Everton captain Seamus Coleman, who appeared as a late substitute having this week announced he will depart at the end of the campaign.
A brilliant first season back in the top flight for Sunderland may yet finish on an historic high.
They were tipped to go straight back down to the Championship. Instead, they will face C