Nyron Nosworthy

By The Black Cats
December 29 2008

Sunderland ended 2008 with an away defeat at the hands of David Moyes' Everton. It was a game to forget for the Black Cats who produced a lacklustre performance as in-form Everton made it four games unbeaten. Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta scored twice to help David Moyes's side move into the top six with only their second home win of the season.

Sunderland, who were without central defender Anton Ferdinand and midfielder Andy Reid through illness, started well and looked set to make a game of it but the home side soon got on top.

Everton went in front in the 10th minute and it was a soft goal as far as the Wearsiders were concerned.

Kieran Richardson, playing at left-back, fouled Leon Osman just outside the area and Arteta smashed the free-kick through the wall and past Marton Fulop who was not helped by the sun shining in his eyes.

Sunderland's only real chance of the first half fell to Nyron Nosworthy who headed Richardson's corner just over.

Mikel Arteta and Steed Malbranque battle for possession at Goodison Park

Marouane Fellaini nearly made it 2-0 in the 25th minute after a mix-up between Danny Collins and Fulop. Only a good clearance by Richardson denied the Belgian.

Everton doubled their lead in the 27th minute and the goal came from another free-kick after the out-of-sorts Steed Malbranque had fouled Steven Pienaar.

It was no surprise to see Arteta step forward and this time he blasted the free-kick against the wall. His second shot, a volley, struck Collins and deflected past Fulop.

Everton should have been 3-0 up in the 30th minute. Arteta whipped in a great free-kick from the left and Tim Cahill, normally so good in the air, sent a header just wide.

There was no way back for Sunderland who created very little going forward. It took until the 65th minute for the away side to test Tim Howard who saved a long-distance effort from Carlos Edwards.

The Toffeemen made it 3-0 in the 83rd minute and it was all they deserved. Teenager Dan Gosling was in the right place to turn in Joleon Lescott's pass. It was too easy for Everton.

For Sunderland's fans this was not quite as bad as the 7-1 defeat here last season but it was not far off.

As the Black Cats head into 2009 and switch their sights to the FA Cup, their new manager Ricky Sbragia has plenty to consider.

Sbragia deleted the 'caretaker' bit of his job description by signing an 18-month contract over the weekend.

The source for this article was SAFC.com.