Ndiaye celebrates his goal at Sunderland (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Everton were again left cursing their profligacy in front of goal as they could have been three-nil up against Sunderland before their hosts mounted a spirited comeback in a 1-1 draw.
An incredible solo strike from Iliman Ndiaye – who was forced off injured in the second half – put the Blues ahead on 15 minutes as he dribbled past several opponents before picking his spot expertly with a shot into the roof of the net. Jack Grealish then hit the base of Robin Roef’s right-hand post before picking out Thierno Barry at the back post but the £27million summer signing’s wait to break his duck continues as he fired over the bar with the goal gaping.
David Moyes’ men were increasingly pegged back before the break and then punished moments after the restart as home captain Granit Xhaka’s shot deflected off James Tarkowski and past Jordan Pickford via the crossbar.
READ MORE: [Sunderland vs Everton LIVE - Xhaka, Ndiaye goals, score and commentary stream](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-everton-live-stream-score-32799263)
**Jordan Pickford 6**
Applauded by the fans of his former club before kick-off, he survived falling to the turf in a goalmouth scramble late in the first half when Keane cleared his lines but was picking the ball out of his net before he’d had a save to make when Granit Xhaka’s shot deflected off Tarkowski and the crossbar to beat him, although he did well when wrong-footed moments later to claw away another deflected effort from Enzo Le Fee.
**Jake O’Brien 6**
Kept his head having survived Reinildo Mandava’s shameful attempts to get him into trouble by clutching his face when shrugged off, he offered an outlet going forward, while tucking inside when out of possession.
**Vitalii Mykolenko 6**
Held his position and produced a solid but rather more defensive-minded and disciplined display.
**James Tarkowski 7**
Was unfortunate to deflect Xhaka’s shot into his own net via the crossbar, almost repeating the trick moments later, having shown brains as well as his usual brawn to keep Sunderland’s attackers at arm’s length with some smart positioning.
**Michael Keane 8**
A colossal defensive display in the face of increasing Sunderland pressure, his footwork and anticipation were impressive, making crucially timed blocks to deny Wilson Isidor and then Bertrand Traore among others.
**Idrissa Gueye 6**
Used all his experience to form a shield in front of his back four, he played with authority early on but found himself pegged back more and more.
**James Garner 7**
Started brightly, fizzing a low drive just wide of the post from Barry’s knockdown, just seconds after he’d kicked off the game and has been an assertive presence, despite being on the receiving end of a naughty challenge that saw Ndah Sadiki booked.
**Iliman Ndiaye 8**
Wonderful, solo goal was pure genius as he picked up the ball on the right wing, slalomed past several Sunderland players and then planted the ball in the roof of the net, he had the hosts on pins all through the first half but it was a worrying sight to see him forced off through injury.
**Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 6**
Some nice passing interplay at times to work his way through Sunderland’s defence but you want to see more of it as you know it’s in his locker, like when he almost threaded a through-ball to substitute Beto.
**Jack Grealish 7**
Showed his class when presented with an early opportunity, working the ball inside to deliver a low, right-foot shot that struck the foot of Robin Roefs’ post before picking out Barry for his inviting chance.
**Thierno Barry 6**
Some encouraging moments, his nod down to James Garner almost fashioned a goal in the opening seconds and then he won the ball from Ndah Sadiki to start the move for Ndiaye’s strike but blazed over the bar from close range when picked out by Grealish and then picked up a needless booking for a wild lunge on Sadiki.
Substitutes
**Beto (on 56 for Barry) 6**
With Sunderland pushing after their equaliser, the game was crying out for Everton trying to play some balls for him to chase on the break, but for all his endeavours, nothing quite came off.
**Dwight McNeil (on 62 for Ndiaye) 6**
Got the nod ahead of Tyler Dibling, Everton’s most expensive signing of the summer, when Ndiaye was forced off and looked solid if unspectacular on the right wing.
**Charly Alcaraz (on 83 for Dewsbury-Hall)**
Tried to mix things up with a late cameo.
**Tim Iroegbunam (on 83 for O’Brien)**
Ditto.