Sunderland 0
Everton 1
Johnson 55
Sunderland 0 Everton 1 March 09 2008
Everton kept alive their Champions League hopes as Andy Johnson's second-half goal helped them beat Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.
There was little in the way of clear-cut scoring opportunities in the first half, with Phil Jagielka's 16th minute header easily saved by Craig Gordon and Dean Whitehead scuffing a long-range effort into the penalty area at the other end.
Sunderland upped the tempo at the start of the second half but they felll behind in the 55th minute when Arteta's searching cross into a crowded box hit Johnson's shoulder and sailed over Gordon and into the net.
Roy Keane used all three of his substitutes in an attempt to salvage something from the game and there was nearly late drama when Andy Reid produced a sterling free-kick in stoppage-time.
However Tim Howard tipped over to secure his side the points.