Football: Honours even as Everton, Sunderland draw

LONDON:

Everton came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Sunderland in the Premier League teams’ FA Cup quarter-final at Goodison Park yesterday. A frenetic first-half saw Sunderland take an early lead through fullback Phil Bardsley before Everton levelled with a header from Tim Cahill.

An evenly-balanced second-half saw both sides struggle to create many clear-cut chances although Everton nearly snatched a winner in the dying minutes only to be denied by a superb double save from Simon Mignolet.

The result means David Moyes’ Toffees must now travel to the Stadium of Light for a replay as they attempt to return to Wembley three years after their defeat in the final against Chelsea. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2012.