Everton were sent back to Merseyside frustrated after dropping points from a winning position on Monday night against Sunderland.
However, Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has paid David Moyes’ side a huge compliment after the game on Wearside.
There were a number of things for Everton that will leave areas to work on in training this week, but none bigger than their finishing.
Moyes singled out Thierno Barry for his glaring miss that would have extended the lead to two goals inside the first half.
That has been the story of Everton’s 2025/26 campaign, with goals proving the biggest issue for the Toffees.
After the game, the Sunderland captain has admitted he was left feeling fortunate after what he saw from Everton.
Sunderland v Everton - Premier League
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images
Granit Xhaka admits Sunderland were lucky against Everton
Iliman Ndiaye tore Sunderland apart before he was withdrawn through a potential injury scare in the second half.
Missed opportunities cost Everton big time at the Stadium of Light, with the Black Cats seeing the door left wide open for a potential route back into the game.
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Speaking to the Sunderland media team, Xhaka admitted he was impressed with what he saw from Everton in the opening 25 minutes of the game.
“We were a little bit lucky that in the first 25 minutes we didn’t concede the second and the third to be honest as well. So in the end it’s half disappointed, half happy,” he said.
There is some irony in how the game panned out, with Regis Le Bris praising Everton’s attacking threat ahead of the match.
Moyes is going to be left with another interesting decision to make ahead of the game at the weekend against Fulham.
Everton have chopped and changed their strikers this season, with neither Barry nor Beto able to take their opportunity in the starting XI.
Everton are being let down by their strikers
The Toffees did have other opportunities to add to Ndiaye’s goal, with Jack Grealish also striking the woodwork.
One goal from both Barry and Beto in the Premier League this season just simply is not good enough.
Thierno Barry 25/26 Total
Appearances 12
Minutes 410
Goals 0
Assists 0
Moyes has warned Barry and Beto a striker change could be on the horizon with neither able to take their chances.
Everton News understands that Everton are going to target a new striker in January when the window opens.
The issue for Moyes is that Everton still have almost two full months of football to play ahead of the window even opening.