Sunderland 1 Everton 1

Dec 27 2009 by James Hunter, Sunday Sun

SECOND-goal Syndrome struck Sunderland again, as two more points slipped from the Black Cats’ clutches at the Stadium of Light.

Just as against Portsmouth a fortnight previously, Darren Bent fired Sunderland in front against Everton but Steve Bruce’s men could not find the second goal they needed to kill off their opponents.

And Everton, just like Pompey, hit back with a late equaliser to leave Sunderland deflated.

Bent’s 11th goal of the season got the Black Cats off to the perfect start with only 17 minutes gone, and at that stage Everton looked there for the taking.

But Sunderland were unable to add to their lead and in the final 20 minutes started to defend deeper and deeper, handing the initiative to the visitors.

Eventually, Marouane Fellaini fired the Toffeemen level with their first on-target shot of the match, and the final five minutes became a test of nerve as Everton tried to sneak a winner.

Sunderland have run out of steam after their early-season success, and this draw means the Black Cats have not won in their last six games.

Bruce’s men have picked up just two points in that run – and, even more alarmingly, have taken just six points from the last 30 on offer.

So, while they remain in 10th place in the table, they are in danger of being sucked into the bottom half.

They are just a point above Stoke immediately below them while, looking upwards, a five-point gap has opened up between themselves and ninth-placed Fulham.

Sunderland head to Blackburn tomorrow still looking for their first away win since the opening day of the season, and Bruce knows his side have to turn the corner quickly if they are to avoid seeing all their good work in the early part of the season undone.

To be fair to the Black Cats boss, the constant chopping and changing of his side due to injuries and suspensions has not helped.

Yesterday, for example, he made four changes to the side that started last weekend’s 4-3 defeat at Man City.

Paulo Da Silva came into the side in place of suspended centre-back Michael Turner, while Phil Bardsley was preferred to Nyron Nosworthy at right-back.

Lee Cattermole suffered a hamstring problem in training and was absent in midfield, with Lorik Cana returning from suspension and taking his place.

Up front Kenwyne Jones, who came off the bench to score at City, was restored to the side instead of Fraizer Campbell.