BBC SPORT | Football | Eng Prem | Everton edge out Black Cats

Sunderland 0-1 Everton

Richard Wright made amends for the nightmare start to his Everton career with a penalty save to earn a vital win at Sunderland.

Wright - criticised by boss David Moyes after the opening day draw against Spurs - blocked Kevin Phillips' second half spot kick at The Stadium of Light.

It meant Kevin Campbell's first-half strike gave Everton their first win of the season and increased the pressure on Sunderland boss Peter Reid.

Reid came under fire again from the home crowd, but Sunderland were desperately unlucky not to earn at least a point after dominating much of the match.

Key incidents

28 mins: Kevin Campbell puts Everton ahead

70 mins: Richard Wright saves Kevin Phillips penalty

73 mins: Niall Quinn hits the post with Sunderland's last chance

Everton's goal survived a succession of near misses, with Phillips also hitting the woodwork twice, but Reid was once again left regretting his side's lack of firepower.

Sunderland boss Reid handed Scotland new boy Kevin Kyle an opportunity to stake his claim for a place alongside Phillips in attack.

Sunderland fans during the minute's silence

Everton, meanwhile, rested 16-year-old sensation Wayne Rooney and restored Niclas Alexandersson to midfield.

The game was played out against the emotional backdrop of a minute's silence for murdered schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman and Jake Craddock, the four-month old son of Sunderland defender Jody Carddock, who died earlier this week.

Everton goalkeeper Wright had a nightmare debut against Spurs last week, but distinguished himself early on with fine saves from Gavin McCann and Phillips.

Richard Wright's penalty save was exceptional - I've no doubt he'll be a very good goalkeeper

Everton manager David Moyes

But Moyes' men, with China international Li Tie an increasing influence, settled and went ahead after 28 minutes.

Tomasz Radzinski was the creator, meeting a Thomas Gravesen cross to head into the path of Campbell, who slid home.

The Stadium of Light, predictably, became increasingly anxious and Tie tested Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen from long range.

Sunderland upped the tempo after the break, and Phillips curled a shot over the top with Wright off his line.

The England striker then headed into the side-netting when he looked poised to restore equality.

Babb and Alexandersson battle it out

Everton goalkeeper Wright was having a mixed afternoon - and it was summed up in a matter of minutes as Sunderland piled on the pressure.

First he had a remarkable escape after dropping Claudio Reyna's free-kick into the net, only for referee Rob Styles to spare his blushes by ruling out the goal for offside.

And then he was the hero by denying Sunderland an equaliser after 70 minutes.

We started really well and just couldn't really get a goal to relax us

Sunderland manager Peter Reid

Referee Styles had no hesitation in awarding a penalty after an outbreak of pushing in the Everton penalty area.

But Wright responded a stunning spot-kick save from Phillips, first blocking the save then reacting acrobatically to stop the ball rolling into the net.

It was Sunderland's last chance - and Reid was under fire again.

Watch a round-up of the weekend's action

Sunderland: Sorensen, Wright, Gray, Bjorklund, Babb, McAteer (Quinn 67), McCann, Reyna, Butler, Phillips, Kyle (Piper 63).
Subs Not Used: McCartney, Macho, Arca.

Booked: Wright.

Everton: Wright, Hibbert, Weir, Stubbs, Naysmith, Tie Li (Linderoth 74), Gravesen, Pembridge, Alexandersson (Rooney 74), Radzinski, Campbell.
Subs Not Used: Unsworth, Simonsen, Rodrigo.

Attendance: 37,698

Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).


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