Claudio Reyna grabbed the points for Sunderland on his home debut on a freezing afternoon at the Stadium of Light.

The American midfielder, signed from Rangers a fortnight ago, struck from six yeards out with 13 minutes left to light up a dull spectacle.

With snow falling from the black winter sky, there was little for the home fans to cheer until Reyna popped up with his right-footed strike from a Jason McAteer cross..

He then kept out Moore and Radzinski in quick succession, but was never really in any trouble.

But Phillips found himself seeing stars as half-time approached when he came off second best in an aerial clash with Unsworth.

Improved showing

Sunderland came out of the blocks sharply after the restart with Reyna pushing forward in an attempt to link with his strikers.

But it was again the visitors who almost broke through on 47 minutes, Steve Watson sending in an excellent cross which Darren Williams had to head away from Radzinski.

The game was by now being played in blizzard conditions, but buoyed by their improved showing, the home side streamed forward at every opportunity.

Sunderland: Sorensen, Haas, Gray, McCann, Thome, Williams, Reyna, McAteer, Arca, Quinn (Kyle 79), Phillips.

Subs Not Used: Macho, McCartney, Thirlwell, Kilbane.

Booked: McAteer.

Goals: Reyna 77.

Everton: Simonsen, Watson, Xavier, Unsworth, Naysmith, Gemmill, Gascoigne, Gravesen (Alexandersson 27), Tal (Blomqvist 74), Moore, Radzinski (Chadwick 90).

Subs Not Used: Gerrard, Cleland.

Booked: Gravesen, Naysmith, Gascoigne, Blomqvist.

Att: 48,013

Ref: B Knight (Orpington).