More needed from Fabio Borini and Adnan Januzaj plus five other things learned from Sunderland's defeat at Everton

Sunderland's survival hopes took another blow with the defeat to Everton, with the Black Cats going down 2-0 to the Toffees.
Low-key return to Goodison Park for David MoyesLow-key return to Goodison Park for David Moyes
Low-key return to Goodison Park for David Moyes

The gap to safety is only three points but with every defeat, the pressure gauge cranks up a further notch ahead of what is set to be another nail-biting finale to a Premier League campaign.

Here's what we learned from the trip to Goodison Park.

Seb Larsson tries to close down Romelu LukakuSeb Larsson tries to close down Romelu Lukaku
Seb Larsson tries to close down Romelu Lukaku

Unhappy return for David Moyes:

Moyes spent 11 years at Goodison Park but this was another unhappy return, with the manager heavily critical of his side's first half display.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Since leaving Everton in the summer 2013, Moyes has lost each of his four Premier League games against the club, failing to score in each encounter.

It was a low-key return. His former club have become a bogey side.

Lamine Kone wins the ballLamine Kone wins the ball
Lamine Kone wins the ball

The goals have dried up for Sunderland:

Memories of Sunderland's 4-0 win over Crystal Palace may still be fresh in the memory but put that game to one side and Sunderland's goal threat has dried up.

After scoring in five consecutive league games, Sunderland have been goalless in four of their past five games.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jermain Defoe - who almost equalised with a thumping effort deflected onto the crossbar - is top scorer with 14 goals but if he doesn't net then Sunderland offer little threat.

Seb Larsson tries to close down Romelu LukakuSeb Larsson tries to close down Romelu Lukaku
Seb Larsson tries to close down Romelu Lukaku

Dismal set pieces:

This is one area of their play which Sunderland need to improve. And fast.

Everton won four corners in the opening five minutes, putting instant and constant pressure on the defence in the opening stages. In total, the Toffees won 10 and Sunderland 6.

Yet, Sunderland never really look like scoring from any of their set pieces, corners in particular. Seb Larsson took the majority of them and the Swede endured an afternoon to forget.

Lamine Kone wins the ballLamine Kone wins the ball
Lamine Kone wins the ball

More needed from Sunderland forwards:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Much, much, more is needed from the likes of Adnan Januzaj and Fabio Borini in the final months of the campaign if Sunderland are to stand a chance of staying up.

Sunderland worked hard against Everton but offered little threat going forward, with Joel Robles in the Everton goal enjoying a comfortable afternoon.

One shot on target all afternoon is nowhere near good enough.

Improved defensive display but poor when they had the ball

This was an improved Sunderland display on the back of the dismal Southampton defeat; John O'Shea the stand-out performer at the back.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sunderland weathered the early storm to frustrate Everton. The Toffees, though, were quicker and better on the ball, showed more composure and posed the bigger threat.

Defensively, Sunderland were better organised with plenty of bodies in the box.

But they were poor in possession; giving the ball away too often and when the opportunity to counter-attack arose, Sunderland were laboured and predicable.

An injection of pace is needed.England boss watching on.

Gareth Southgate was in the stands at Goodison Park.

Jermain Defoe has scored 14 goals so far this campaign but his England days seem to be over having been overlooked in recent seasons.

Southgate was more likely keeping tabs on Ross Barkley, who impressed, Jordan Pickford on his return to the Sunderland team and perhaps even young Tom Davies who shone for the hosts.