Injury woes a growing concern
Sam Allardyce’s opening weeks as Sunderland boss have seen a number of injuries to key players. Fabio Borini, John O’Shea, Younes Kaboul and Ola Toivonen all missed the trip to Everton and the manager was handed a further blow with the withdrawal of stand-in captain Lee Cattermole.
The 27-year-old lasted just 35 minutes before needing a replacement, with Jack Rodwell coming on.
That two-week international break cannot come quickly enough for a Black Cats side which will need to be at full strength for the latter stages of the season.
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Attacking threat the only positive
Handed his first start since mid-September, Defoe put his name on the scoresheet again at Goodison Park with his sixth goal of the season in all competitions.
He linked-up well with Adam Johnson and Steven Fletcher, who also scored again and had Sunderland looking bright and inventive going forward. If it was not for their dismal defending, Allardyce’s men definitely would have made the trip home with at least a point.
Bizarrely, Sunderland had more shots (17 compared to 15) and more efforts on target (nine compared to eight) than the hosts, who were just far more clinical going forward, and well organised at the back.
Although positives are few and far between for Allardyce, he definitely has some positives to take out of this contest. Their attack was a lot better, however, that level of defending just will no cut it in the Premier League.
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