It was a tale of two halves for Everton, having dominated Sunderland at the Stadium of Light for much of the opening half of their Premier League clash.
Ultimately, David Moyes' side had to settle for a draw, with Iliman Ndiaye's irresistible dribble and strike after 15 minutes cancelled out by Black Cats skipper Granit Xhaka, whose piledriver took a nasty deflection off James Tarkowski's outstretched leg to wrong-foot Jordan Pickford.
Everton's Iliman Ndiaye
In some ways, the Toffees will be content with a point gained on the road, but Moyes cut a frustrated figure on the sideline as his side continued to be so wasteful in attack.
And (with apologies for the continuing trend), Thierno Barry flattered to deceive once again as the focal frontman.
Thierno Barry's struggles continue
At the moment, it's something of a pick-your-poison situation for Moyes when it comes to naming a striker. Beto and Barry are powerful, mobile strikers, but neither can hit a barn door at the moment, with one goal between them in the Premier League this season.
Everton manager David Moyes
Barry was given the nod here, and while he caught the eye with strong link-up play and confident movement in the early stages, he came unstuck when skying a glorious close-range chance to put the Blues 2-0 up in the first half.
How that could have changed things, but the £27m summer recruit fizzled out along with Everton, and he was hooked before the hour mark for Beto, who found himself marooned in the final third as Sunderland upped the ante and cranked up the pressure and pushed for a winner that did not come.
Sometimes in football, it really is that simple. Everton need a striker, someone reliable and clinical in the final third to connect with Ndiaye and Jack Grealish and the like.
However, football isn't that simple. Everton are a team of 11 players, and there was one Moyes mainstay in particular who had an evening to forget behind Barry and then Beto.
Moyes must relocate Everton mainstay
Everton have been profligate this season, no doubt about it. However, too much creative emphasis has been placed on the wide players, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will be disappointed with a limp display in Sunderland.
Having arrived from Chelsea for about £28m this summer, the English midfielder has been one of Everton's most important cogs this term, industrious and influential in his advanced role, sat behind the striker.
Everton's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
However, a strong start has tapered away some, having created only two chances across his past three Premier League matches, missing a litany of crosses and long passes besides.
Against Sunderland, this lapse in form was on full show. The 27-year-old's passing was errant, with former Everton correspondent Ric George even saying the Englishman's "passing is atrocious" when observing a slew of failed efforts to connect with his teammates in the danger area.
Dewsbury-Hall vs Sunderland
Match Stats
Minutes played
Goals
Assists
Touches
Accurate passes
Chances created
Crosses
Dribbles
Recoveries
Tackles
Duels won
Data via Sofascore
While he's still a fantastic player with plenty in his locker, Moyes might want to consider starting Dewsbury-Hall from a deeper midfield berth over the coming weeks; given Barry and Beto's issues in front of goal, it might be worth digging out alternative routes. Dwight McNeil and Tyler Dibling would both fancy themselves able in the role, for example.
Dewsbury-Hall nearly showed off his quality with a late through ball to Beto, but this was about the extent of his good work in attempting to break lines and thread the thirds together. Liverpool World handed him a creditable 6/10 match rating, though acknowledged he faded quickly after a bright start.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in action for Everton
Brighter days are ahead for the talent, but perhaps he should be connecting with an attack-minded midfielder next, sitting in the centre and showing off his all-encompassing midfield qualities.