Granit Xhaka shone as Sunderland demonstrated their resilience, maintaining their unbeaten home record with a 1-1 draw against Everton. Iliman Ndiaye opened the scoring with a stunning solo effort, a serious contender for goal of the season. Ndiaye weaved through Sunderland's defense to net the opener. However, Sunderland's captain, Xhaka, leveled the score just 42 seconds into the second half, with his shot deflecting off James Tarkowski, leaving Jordan Pickford helpless.

Sunderland, who started the match shakily, dominated the second half, inspired by their captain. They created several good scoring opportunities but failed to find a winner. With five consecutive unbeaten matches at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland climbed to fourth place in the Premier League, while Everton settled into 14th.

Everton manager David Moyes expressed his frustration over missed opportunities, particularly by Thierno Barry, who failed to double their lead. Barry is yet to register a shot on target in the league, a point of contention for Moyes.

On the other hand, Granit Xhaka continues to impress with his performances, establishing himself as one of the best signings of the season. His leadership and influence on the pitch are evident and play a crucial role in Sunderland's successes this season.

Analysis: Sunderland is showing stability and fighting spirit, positioning themselves as contenders for the top spots in the Premier League. Xhaka's impressive performances are a key factor in the team's success. If they maintain this form, they can look forward to even greater achievements as the season progresses.