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EVERTON DOMINANCE EVAPORATES; PICKFORD, MOYES REACT WITH DISBELIEF AND FURY

Everton's draw at Sunderland felt like two points dropped after Iliman Ndiaye's opener was cancelled out by a deflected Granit Xhaka strike. Jordan Pickford's emotional return was a key storyline in a match filled with drama.

Everton dominance evaporates; Pickford, Moyes react with disbelief and fury
Jordan Pickford, goalkeeper of Everton waves at fans after the Premier League match between Sunderland and Everton at Stadium of Light (Image: Getty Images)

With a draw that felt like both a win and a loss, Everton left the Stadium of Light.

They controlled Sunderland for thirty minutes, to the extent that discussions between reporters from the North East in the press box came to the conclusion that it was the first time this season that the recently promoted team appeared overpowered by an opponent.

However, the hosts were able to rally late in the game since the visitors were unable to capitalise on their superiority and failed to build on Iliman Ndiaye's opening goal. By the end, Everton was relieved to hear the final whistle. Here are a few of the match's moments that went beyond the news.

Jordan Pickford's distress over James Tarkowski's help


When Granit Xhaka's effort was deflected past Jordan Pickford to tie the score for Sunderland on Monday night, his expression told it all. The England number one was a picture of agony as he reprimanded the centre back for extending out his leg to block the shot and turned to face captain James Tarkowski.

When the effort was redirected away from his dive, the goalie seemed frustrated that Tarkowski had not left it for him to handle, even though it was supposed to be a simple stop. The goal was vital because it gave the home crowd more energy and helped the Mackems maintain the momentum they had at the end of the first half.

Everton failed to bounce back, but they managed to hold on for a point that seemed crucial considering the second half's struggle, which Moyes said was "awful." Moments after the equaliser, Pickford had to make a crucial stop as an Enzo Le Fée strike was deflected away from him, despite his worries about those blocking shots in front of him going unanswered.

England's top player receives praise from everyone.


During his first game back at Sunderland since leaving for Everton in 2017, Pickford was a main attraction. He has remained a devoted fan of his boyhood team and saw them finish a protracted and agonising period outside the top flight by winning promotion from the Championship last season.

The home audience applauded when his name was called before the game and cheered him off the field with the song, "He is one of our own," after the final whistle.

The away end frequently broke into the "dynamite" song that was composed for him at the conclusion of the previous season, demonstrating that the affection was reciprocated.


David Moyes is playing.


Although the two clubs' good connection was always evident during this game, tensions remained high for the entire ninety minutes. This also applied to the dugouts. Trai Hume made a crazy lunge at Jack Grealish in the second half, causing him to writhe in agony. The incident so shocked Moyes that he jumped onto the field in what seemed to be a mix of worry and rage.

Moyes later felt that his playmaker deserved a lot of protection after Hume was booked for the tackle. Pedro Porro of Tottenham Hotspur and Evann Guessand of Aston Villa have both made clumsy challenges against him in recent weeks.

Then his head was in his hands.


On the touchline, Moyes actively participated in the game's emotions. When Vitalii Mykolenko seemed to give up too early on a ball he believed was going out for a throw-in among a tangle of legs, his incredulity contrasted sharply with his rage at the challenge on Grealish.

Moyes just stood with his hands on his head for a few seconds as Sunderland took advantage of the opportunity and picked up the lost ball to make another attack down Everton's left.


Two clubs come together to emphasise the important things.


This event made it very evident that there are more significant things in life than football. Bradley Lowery, a Sunderland fan, won hearts all across the world throughout his fight against neuroblastoma before dying at the age of six. He developed an especially tight relationship with Everton, with former chairman Bill Kenwright providing him with substantial backing for his awareness-raising initiatives.

Gemma, Bradley's mother, went to Everton's home game against West Ham United since the team was supporting the Bradley Lowery Foundation, which was established in his honour. Reuben, a nine-year-old Sunderland fan who has been fighting leukaemia, led Everton out on Monday night after the team donated their mascot experience to the charity. The home end also unfurled a huge flag with Bradley on it at the beginning of the game, with the caption, "There is only one Bradley Lowery."

In a heartfelt remembrance of nine-year-old Sunderland supporter Anna Bradley, who lost her fight with a rare blood cancer last week, the stadium erupted in cheers in the ninth minute as well.

CONOR GALLAGHER CONFIRMED AS "VITAL" STARTER FOR SPURS FOLLOWING BENTANCUR’S INJURY LAYOFF

Conor Gallagher proved the doubters wrong against Man City. Discover why his €40m move to Tottenham is finally paying off for Spurs.

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Conor Gallagher secured first Spurs assist as Tottenham snatched a point at City

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid both decided Conor Gallagher wasn’t worth the trouble. At Chelsea, he had his moments—Pochettino liked him, but the fans never really warmed up. When Chelsea shipped him off to Atletico, it made sense. Enzo Fernandez stepped up, took over Gallagher’s role, and fit in perfectly next to Caicedo, with Cole Palmer adding that extra spark up front.

Things didn’t get much better for Gallagher in Spain. He barely got a chance at Atleti, lost his spot in the starting eleven, and pretty much ended up on the transfer list before anyone had time to blink. Interest was lukewarm at best until the winter window rolled around. Aston Villa wanted him and went after him pretty aggressively, but then Tottenham swooped in late. Spurs needed someone to patch up the midfield after Bentancur’s injury, so they just paid up—40 million euros, no hesitation.

His start at Tottenham? Rough. Honestly, that was to be expected. He’d played well at Palace before, but after his struggles at Atleti, he needed time to adjust. Sitting on the bench in Spain didn’t do him any favours.

Then Gallagher showed up. People doubted whether he could really add creativity and move the ball forward for Spurs, so his early struggles got people worried. But then came the 2-2 draw against Manchester City. He suddenly looked like the player both Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank were so desperate to sign.

Against City, Gallagher flipped the script. He set up a crucial assist, drove play forward on the dribble, and kept drawing fouls—everything the Spurs needed. Defensively, he was all over the place in a good way: two tackles, three interceptions, a full 90 minutes, and a huge part of the Spurs clawing their way back into the game.

Tottenham fans loved it. They saw the effort, the attitude, and the hunger to win. Gallagher just wouldn’t quit, and in that second half, he, Xavi Simons, Pape Matar Sarr, Destiny Udogie, and Dominic Solanke ran the show. Four of those guys have been carrying Spurs lately, so Gallagher is fitting right in with them. That’s a pretty good sign he’s going to work out just fine in North London.

AC MILAN MEDICAL FAILURE: THE HIDDEN KNEE INJURY THAT CRUSHED MATETA’S £30M MOVE

Jean-Philippe Mateta's £30m move to AC Milan is OFF. Discover why a failed medical has put his France World Cup dreams in jeopardy.

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Mateta’s "dream move" suddenly turned toxic.

Jean Philippe-Mateta’s got a real headache right now. The Crystal Palace striker just watched his £30 million dream move to AC Milan blow up at the last minute, all because a knee problem showed up during his medical.

The thing is, Mateta’s been carrying this injury for a while. Now he’s stuck: should he go under the knife and try to recover in time for the World Cup? He wants to make the France squad this summer, but nothing’s guaranteed. Even if he has surgery, there’s no telling if he’ll be fit enough—or have enough time on the pitch—to convince Didier Deschamps he deserves a spot.

The injury’s been dragging him down anyway. It’s messing with his form and his game time, and he’s worried he won’t get a real shot at proving himself for France if he isn’t at his best.

It’s tough because he’s coming off a fantastic year at Palace. FA Cup winner, big goals, helped the club reach Europe—it’s been a dream run. But now he might have to go back to Selhurst Park, even though he’s made it clear he’s had enough and wants out.

Honestly, it feels like only a matter of time before he leaves. His contract runs out next summer, and Palace can’t risk losing him for nothing. They’ve already watched Marc Guehi go to Man City for a bargain, just because his deal was running down.

Now Mateta has to sit down with Palace and the doctors to figure out what to do about his knee. Surgery would sideline him for months, probably killing his World Cup chances.

He’s gutted about Milan falling through, especially after Juventus cooled their interest and Nottingham Forest had an offer turned down. Over the weekend, he even unfollowed Palace on Instagram and posted a fed-up emoji. No one really knows if he’ll even make the squad for the Brighton game.

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