EVERTON 2, SUNDERLAND 2

SUNDERLAND'S slim hopes of qualifying for Europe were finally extinguished at Goodison Park after a tremendous fight-back inspired by two-goal Kevin Phillips.

Peter Reid's men were not to know that Chelsea were winning at Maine Road to clinch sixth place, but their non-stop efforts, after being reduced to ten men following the dismissale of former Everton midfielder Don Hutchison, were appreciated by their vociferous band of travelling supporters.

Everton got off to a great start when their Israeli winger Idan Tal fired in a shot off the legs of Sunderland midfielder Stefan Schwarz in the ninth minute

But Phillips put Sunderland level with a great goal in the 21st minute and it was a ding-dong encounter, with Hutchison getting his marching orders in the 64th minute for bringing down Mark Pembridge, who had his penalty saved by Thomas Sorensen.

Sorensen had no chance when Michael Ball converted a second penalty in tghe 75th minute, but Sunderland refused to throw in the towel and Phillips brought his tally for the season to 18 when he again equalised in the 82nd minute.