Sunderland’s captain Granit Xhaka led his team to a hard-fought draw against Everton in a Premier League matchup that showcased his prowess on the pitch. After trailing due to a spectacular wonder goal from Everton’s Amad Ndiaye, Xhaka equalized just 42 seconds into the second half with a deflected strike. His man of the match performance salvaged a very much needed point for his new side Sunderland. He further cemented his standing as the linchpin by capping the match with the most chances created and tackles won.
With the match being played at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, the Black Cats were looking to use the advantage of playing at home. The team experienced many challenges throughout the first half. Xhaka’s view was that Sunderland couldn’t cope with the final quarter of an hour before half-time. As he stated, “If I’m honest, yesterday’s training wasn’t our worst ever training. It was as bad as we ended training yesterday,” showing that their level of preparation could have played a role in their poor performance.
A Mixed Performance
Even though the game started at a snail’s pace, Sunderland was much more in their element during the second half and showed a lot more finesse. Xhaka emphasized the team’s need to maintain high standards throughout the game, stating, “That’s why I think the first 25 minutes weren’t good enough and after that, we got better in the game.” He admitted that Sunderland had a clear opportunity to go up 2-0. Touchdowns at that point would have dramatically changed the ebb and flow of the game.
Sunderland’s head coach, Regis Le Bris, supported Xhaka’s sentiments about their first-half struggles. He remarked, “We didn’t start well – or the opponent started really well. We were not composed on the ball. We turned it over many times.” He did laud his team for their character in the later stages of the game, indicating he was proud of their overall display.
Xhaka’s Impact
Granit Xhaka was the midfield influence that Sunderland needed as the young midfield dynamo helped his team come out firing after halftime. Like creating chances only to take them away from opponents, his ability to win tackles was equally crucial, as the game-highs reflected in both departments. Jamie Carragher from Sky Sports recognized Xhaka’s outstanding display, stating, “I thought Granit Xhaka was absolutely fantastic. Not just the goal. Head and shoulders above everyone else on that pitch tonight.”
Having had an outstanding spell in Germany, Xhaka spoke about his return to the Premier League. He stated, “I didn’t expect to come back to the Premier League after going to Germany, but in football you never know where you land.” He has credited his time under Xabi Alonso as instrumental in boosting his confidence and honing his skills.
The captain’s stellar performance and leadership on and off the field led him to earn Player of the Match honors. This accomplishment solidifies his standing as a key, foundational piece for Sunderland going forward.
Looking Ahead
Although Sunderland were able to grab a point at home to Everton, there is still plenty to be desired. Xhaka admitted that as good as they were after the break, they didn’t control large stretches of the second half well enough. He stated his optimism that the group would take lessons from these valuable experiences. They are intent on continuing their impeccable form in the Premier League.
Regarding the game’s outcome, Everton’s manager David Moyes shared his thoughts: “For 20-30 minutes I thought I’d be disappointed going home with a point. By the end of the game, I was pleased we got a point from it.” Both the excitement about the league’s competitiveness and Sunderland’s strong, hopeful showing as they work to avoid the basement.
Leave a Reply