Honours even as Everton, Sunderland draw
Everton came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Sunderland in the two Premier League teams' FA Cup quarterfinal at Goodison Park on Sunday.
A frenetic first half saw Sunderland take an early lead through fullback Phil Bardsley before Everton levelled with a header from Tim Cahill.
Sunderland's opener came after a cleverly worked free-kick on 12 minutes, Jack Colback squaring to Bardsley, who lashed home a thunderous low shot that gave Everton keeper Tim Howard no chance.
Yet Everton, aiming to bounce back from their Merseyside derby mauling in midweek, drew level just over 10 minutes later with a goal that owed everything to the predatory instincts of Australian international Cahill.
Leighton Baines swung in a cross from the left and Nikica Jelavic's header found Cahill, who reacted swiftly to steer in the equaliser.
An evenly balanced second half saw both sides struggle to create many clear-cut chances although Everton nearly snatched a winner in the dying minutes only to be denied by a superb double save from Simon Mignolet.
The Belgian international goalkeeper dived at full stretch to claw away Johnny Heitinga's well-directed header and then sprang to his feet to block Jelavic's follow-up for a corner.
The result means David Moyes' Toffees must now travel to the Stadium of Light for a replay as they attempt to return to Wembley three years after their defeat in the final against Chelsea.
