Sunderland 1-1 Everton
- Published
Larsson opens scoring with free-kick
Baines equalises from penalty spot
Barry taken to hospital with ankle injury
Everton move above Liverpool in table
Leighton Baines scored from the penalty spot as Everton came from behind to claim a hard-earned point against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats had taken the lead when Sebastian Larsson curled in a free-kick after Baines had fouled Will Buckley.
But England defender Baines made amends with a spot-kick following Connor Wickham's rash challenge on Seamus Coleman inside the box.
Everton's Gareth Barry was taken to hospital with an ankle injury.
The Toffees midfielder was substituted following a heavy tackle on his right leg by Jordi Gomez, which earned the Sunderland man a yellow card.
It was initially suspected that Barry, 33, had a broken leg, although Everton manager Roberto Martinez subsequently revealed the X-ray had not shown a break.
Black Cats midfielder Gomez could have received a second booking when he made the most of minimal contact from Everton defender Phil Jagielka inside the penalty area, which prompted the visiting players to surround referee Lee Mason.
Everton have lost in the Premier League immediately following their opening two Europa League group matches.
However, after this draw and a 3-1 win at Burnley last month there are signs manager Roberto Martinez appears to be edging closer to the right balance between the club's domestic and European commitments.
Martinez's side were not as fluid as in the 3-0 win over Lille on Thursday, but deserved a point despite falling behind.
Everton winger Aiden McGeady went close with a swerving shot from distance just before the half-hour mark, while Ross Barkley saw his shot blocked by Liam Bridcutt.
Sunderland grew in confidence and had arguably the best chance of the half when Gomez forced Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard to save a low shot from the edge of the penalty area with his legs.
Everton should have scored early in the second half when Romelu Lukaku seized on Bridcutt's errant backpass and was clear on goal, but the Belgium striker's touch was heavy and Sunderland goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon came off his line to gather at the feet of the striker.
Lukaku went close again with a powerful angled shot which Pantilimon tipped on to the post, but the home side took the lead in the 67th minute.
Baines fouled Sunderland substitute Buckley just outside the box, and Larsson curled the resulting free-kick over the Everton wall and into the bottom-left corner of the net.
However, the home side were only ahead for nine minutes after Everton were awarded a penalty when Wickham, who was Sunderland's last man, brought down Seamus Coleman inside the area with a clumsy challenge.
Baines missed his first penalty in the Premier League in Everton's 2-1 defeat at Manchester United last month, and his spot-kick was less than convincing as it went under Pantilimon's body.
Everton goalkeeper Howard smothered the ball outside of his area late on, but referee Mason ignored the heated appeals of the Sunderland players to punish the American international.
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