Sunderland vs Everton Player Ratings: Granit Xhaka's Stunner Forces Everton To Share Points With Sunderland

Sunderland and Everton played out an action-packed 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light in the 2025-26 Premier League. Everton started the away game on a dominant note and took a well-deserved lead, with Iliman Ndiaye putting them in front. The visitors looked in full control, even striking the post with a powerful effort from former Man City man Jack Grealish, while Sunderland struggled to find momentum.

Sunderland bounced back brilliantly in the second half. They showed great determination and intensity and managed to turn the tide. The breakthrough finally came when Granit Xhaka pulled off a stunning long-range strike to bring Sunderland level. Both teams pressed for a winner in a thrilling finale, but ultimately shared the points following a challenging clash. Here are Sportsdunia's Sunderland Vs Everton Player Ratings:

Sunderland Player Ratings vs Everton

Here are Sunderland Player Ratings from Sunderland vs Everton Premier League game:

Goalkeeper

Robin Roefs - 6.5: He couldn't do anything about the goal, it was a fine finish. What stood out to us was his composure. He made a crucial save late on to deny Vitaliy Mykolenko and claimed a few high balls confidently. His distribution was decent enough, though sometimes a bit rushed. Overall, a solid, if not spectacular, outing for the keeper.

Defenders

Daniel George Ballard - 7.5: A really strong performance at the back. He was a beast in the air, winning 6 aerial duels and making a whopping 7 clearances. He looked comfortable on the ball with an 86% pass accuracy. He should have scored with a header in the first half, a real gilt-edged chance he'll be annoyed about. But defensively, he was immense for his team.

Lutsharel Geertruida - 7.0: The definition of a modern, ball-playing defender. We noticed his incredible 96% pass accuracy; he barely wasted a pass all game. He wasn't tested as much as his partner but was positionally sound and made a couple of important tackles and clearances. A very calm and collected display.

Nordi Mukiele - 6.0: A frustrating game for the full-back. He showed great energy getting up and down the wing but his final ball was lacking. He lost possession far too often for our liking, 20 times in total. He did win a good number of duels and got a yellow card for his troubles. Missed a big chance with a header late on, which summed up his day.

Midfielders

Reinildo Mandava - 6.0: A quiet game for Reinildo. He was neat on the ball but didn't really impact the game in an attacking or defensive sense. He won half of his duels and seemed to play it safe for most of the match. We expected a bit more from him in such a big game, he was just... there.

Noah Sadiki - 6.5: An industrious performance in the middle of the park. He was full of running and made 8 ball recoveries, showing his defensive work rate. Picked up a booking for a clumsy challenge. He created one decent chance and his crossing was okay, but he sometimes looked a bit overrun by Everton's midfield in the first half.

Enzo Le Fée - 7.5: He grew into the game and became a key creative force for Sunderland. He got the all-important assist for Xhaka's goal with a smart pass. He created two chances in total and was always looking to make things happen. He was a bit lightweight in the tackle at times but his quality on the ball was evident, especially in the second half.

Trai Hume - 6.0: A mixed bag. He created two chances which shows his attacking intent. However, he also picked up a silly yellow card and committed three fouls. He looked a bit rash. He had a great chance with a header that forced a good save from Pickford. Needs to add a bit more composure to his game.

Granit Xhaka - 9.0: What a performance. He was absolutely everywhere. From our perspective, he was the clear man of the match. The goal was a thing of beauty, a rocket into the top corner. Beyond that, he created 5 chances for his teammates, controlled the tempo, and was a true leader on the pitch. An imperious display.

Forwards

Wilson Isidor - 6.5: He worked hard and made some good runs, but the final product wasn't quite there. He managed to get a shot on target which forced a save, but he struggled to really trouble the Everton defence consistently. Was subbed off with less than 10 minutes to go. A decent effort but not his day.

Bertrand Traoré - 7.0: A livewire. His dribbling was a constant threat, completing 4 successful take-ons. He looked like the most likely player to create something out of nothing for Sunderland. However, he was also guilty of losing the ball and his decision-making could have been better at times. A fun player to watch, though.

Substitutes

Chemsdine Talbi - N/A: Came on late for Bertrand Traoré but didn't have enough time to make an impact.

Brian Brobbey - N/A: Replaced Wilson Isidor for the final few minutes but was barely involved.

Manager

R. Le Bris - 7.0: His team started terribly and looked completely lost in the first half. He deserves immense credit for whatever he said at halftime. His team came out with fire and purpose, earning a well-deserved point. His tactical switch or motivational speech clearly worked wonders.

Everton Player Ratings vs Sunderland

Here are Everton Player Ratings from Everton vs Sunderland game in Premier League 2025-26:

Goalkeeper

Jordan Pickford - 7.0: He was a spectator for much of the first half. Couldn't do anything about Xhaka's wonder strike. Made two really important saves in the second half to keep his team level, particularly the one from Trai Hume's header. His distribution was a bit poor, but his shot-stopping earned his team a point.

Defenders

Michael Keane - 8.0: An absolute colossus at the back. From our seat, he seemed to head away everything that came into the box. The stats back it up with a staggering 14 clearances. He also blocked three shots. A truly dominant defensive performance from him, he was a brick wall.

James Tarkowski - 7.0: The captain led by example alongside Keane. He was solid, positionally aware, and made 7 clearances of his own. He organized the backline well, particularly in the first half when Everton were on top. A reliable and commanding presence.

Jake O'Brien - 6.5: Had a solid game before being substituted. He made 6 clearances and a couple of important blocks. He looked comfortable for the most part, although he was part of a defence that struggled more in the second half. A decent outing.

Vitaliy Mykolenko - 6.5: A busy afternoon for the left-back. He had his hands full with Sunderland's attackers in the second half. He made many clearances and even forced a save with a long-range effort. Was dribbled past a couple of times, but he stuck to his task diligently.

Midfielders

Iliman Ndiaye - 7.5: He was brilliant before his unfortunate injury. He took his goal with great composure and looked like a constant threat. His energy and movement caused Sunderland a lot of problems. It was a real shame to see him go off; Everton missed his spark afterwards.

Jack Grealish - 7.0: So unlucky not to score when his shot cannoned off the crossbar. He was very efficient in possession, with 93% pass accuracy. What stood out to us was his defensive work rate, making 8 ball recoveries. A really good all-round performance.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - 6.5: A typically hardworking performance. He drove forward with the ball well and created one chance. He was a bundle of energy in the midfield, though his influence waned a little as the game went on. A solid, if unspectacular, shift.

Idrissa Gueye - 7.5: A vintage performance from Gueye. He was a menace in midfield, breaking up play with 3 interceptions and 4 tackles. He also showed his quality on the ball, creating two chances for his teammates. He was a vital cog in Everton's machine, especially in the first half.

James Garner - 6.5: The quiet orchestrator. He kept things ticking over nicely in midfield with a 91% pass accuracy. He didn't do anything flashy but he was a steady and reliable presence. Helped Everton control the tempo for large periods of the game.

Forwards

Thierno Barry - 5.5: A day to forget for the striker. He missed a huge chance in the first half that he really should have buried. He looked off the pace and picked up a yellow card for a clumsy foul. It was no surprise to see him substituted early in the second half. A poor performance.

Substitutes

Beto - 6.0: Came on for the ineffective Thierno Barry but didn't offer much more of a threat.

Dwight McNeil - 6.0: Replaced the injured Iliman Ndiaye but struggled to replicate his impact on the game.

Charly Alcaraz - N/A: Came on late and managed to pick up a yellow card.

Tim Iroegbunam - N/A: A late substitute with no real time to influence the match.

Manager

D. Moyes - 6.0: His game plan worked perfectly for 45 minutes. His team was organized, aggressive, and deserved their lead. However, he had no answer to Sunderland's second-half resurgence. His side lost control of the midfield and he'll be very disappointed to leave with only a point.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match goes to Granit Xhaka with 9/10 Ratings.