Poyet pleased as Black Cats plunder points

Everton 0 Sunderland 1

The Black Cats’ task beforehand looked a particularly intimidating one. Gus Poyet’s side had not won on the road and picked up just three points — the joint worst record in the league with Crystal Palace — as well as being winless in six.

By contrast, Everton had not lost a game at Goodison Park in the whole of 2013, and recent results had led to them even being talked up as outside contenders for the title.

However, a mixture of good fortune, some outstanding goalkeeping from Vito Mannone and a bit of old-fashioned roll-your-sleeves-up determination saw Poyet’s side pull off an unlikely victory thanks to Ki Sung-Yeung’s penalty and give their long-suffering away fans that precious commodity; hope.

Things can only better. At least that’s what an optimistic Poyet thinks.

“I hope it is the turning point,” said the Sunderland manager. “I want to win a couple of games before the end of January. And then re-organise after the transfer window.

“It was very difficult for us even against 10 men. But that was a big moment for us and we took advantage. Even against 10 we were defending for our lives.”

This surprise win also left the Uruguayan scratching his head as to why his side cannot get results against teams around them yet have beaten Newcastle, Chelsea (in the League Cup), Manchester City and now Everton.

“I have no explanation!” Poyet said. “We cannot blame anyone but ourselves. We have the chances to beat around us, but we always do something wrong.

“When we play against the top teams something just seems to happen the other way.”

Inevitably it was Mannone who was singled out by Poyet for a breathtaking performance in goal, particularly as he repelled a late Everton bombardment.

“Vito was outstanding. Strikers get the credit but sometimes you need a goalkeeper to win a match and he did that for us against Everton,” Poyet added.

“Three points for us at Goodison Park is something incredible.”

The key moment in the game came midway through the first half when Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard gave away a penalty and was correctly shown a straight red card.

Toffees midfielder Leon Osman failed to control on the edge of the box from the American international’s goal kick and had his pocket picked by Ki who had pressed high up the pitch.

The South Korean was then caught by Howard which left referee Lee Probert with little alternative but to give a penalty and dismiss the Everton keeper.

Ki dusted himself down and confidently buried the spot-kick past Howard’s replacement Joel Robles, who was making his Everton debut.

Everton awoke from their slumbers after the half-time break when Toffees boss Roberto Martinez introduced Ross Barkley, surprisingly omitted, from the substitutes’ bench.

Mannone produced a brilliant diving save to block Phil Jagielka’s header from a corner on the hour mark and then parried Barkley’s awkward swerving effort moments later.

The influential Barkley attempted to grab the game by the scruff its neck and a saw a blistering low drive whistle just past the post.

Sunderland had to batten down the hatches in the remainder of the contest as Everton threw the proverbial kitchen sink at them.

Everton defender Bryan Oviedo went close with a spectacular long-range effort which brought a diving one-handed save from Mannone.

Sunderland were not without chances of their own on the counter attack and Emanuele Giaccherini sent Steven Fletcher clear with 13 minutes left but he missed a great chance to score as he directed his shot past the post.

Mannone first saved brilliantly from a Barkley free-kick and then Liverpool loanee Fabio Borini cleared a Nikica Jelavic header off the line.

But Sunderland’s goal would not be breached and they hung on to claim all three points.

Toffees boss Martinez could not find fault with the response of his players in the second half as they were beaten at Goodison for the first time since a defeat to Chelsea in December 2012.

“The players showed incredible attitude and a tactical understanding to cope with a numerical disadvantage,” Martinez said.

“We put Mannone under great pressure. We didn’t get any points but a performance like that will give us a lot more over the season.”

EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Howard 4; Coleman 7, Jagielka 6, Distin 5, Oviedo 6; McCarthy 5, Barry 6; Mirallas 6 (Barkley 45; 8), Osman 4 (Robles 24; 6), Pienaar 5 (Jelavic 76; 6); Lukaku 6.

SUNDERLAND (4-5-1): Mannone 9; Celustka 7, Diakite 6, Roberge 7, Bardsley 6; Larsson 7, Cattermole 8, Ki Sung-Yeung 8, Colback 6 (Giaccherini 70; 6), Borini 5; Fletcher 5 (Altidore 87; 5).

Referee: Lee Probert 6