Copyright GIVEMESPORT
Everton boss David Moyes conceded that it was difficult to pick out any positives from his side's second half display after they threw away a one-goal advantage against Premier League newcomers Sunderland and were forced to return to the Hill Dickinson Stadium with a 1-1 draw. Although Iliman Ndiaye gave the Toffees a slender lead thanks to his solo effort in the first half, after fighting off challenges from a host of defenders, the Black Cats restored parity and collected a share of the spoils thanks to Granit Xhaka's deflected strike less than 60 seconds into the second period. Moyes Expected More From Toffees in Second Half Moyes admitted that he expected more from his side after the interval and, having been confident of picking up a positive result in the early stages of the clash with Sunderland, he was thankful to come away with a point. Speaking to Sky Sports after the stalemate, the Everton chief said: "I thought for 20 or 30 minutes I would be disappointed if I go home with a point but, at the end, I was pleased we got a point. We missed a good chance to make it 2-0, then we sat back and that gave Sunderland a bit of confidence. "We didn't manage the last 15 minutes of the first half very well and we didn't manage the second half well. "I'm struggling to pick out much positive from any of our football in the second half. The main thing was to not concede a second goal. It summed up the night that we could not find a pass to get that second goal. "I wanted much more and we're capable of it. I think we have a good team, we played quite well for some periods, but not for long enough." Everton are still searching for their first away victory since August, when they beat bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers, but they have moved five points clear of the Premier League's relegation zone thanks to avoiding defeat against Moyes' former employers Sunderland. The Scottish tactician's honest admission came after the Toffees were unable to hold onto their one-goal lead despite Ndiaye firing home before Jack Grealish struck the post and Thierno Barry missed a golden opportunity to add his name to the scoresheet. Those misses came back to haunt Everton as, in the first minute of the second half, Sunderland captain Xhaka's low drive deflected off James Tarkowski and past a helpless Jordan Pickford. The Merseyside outfit will have another chance to return to winning ways when they welcome Fulham to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.
