Sunderland’s City of Light stadium was filled with almost 50,000 spectators for today’s meeting with Everton.  Both teams have had moments of brilliance this season, though both have struggled in the past few weeks.

Darren Bent’s first half goal for Sunderland could only be matched by Marouane Fellaini’s equalizer in the second half.  Everton’s star forward Louis Saha was completely silenced by Ghanaian international Mensah for almost every minute of the match.  It was Fellaini’s through passing at midfield and physical dominance inside the 18 that saved Everton from a bad loss.  Both teams should be happy with a point.

It will be so much fun to see Landon Donovan work with Fellaini, Cahill, and Saha on the Everton offense in February.