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Andrew Johnson’s second-half goal gave Everton victory against struggling Sunderland and kept the Toffees in the hunt for a Champions League spot.

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Mikel Arteta’s cross glanced in off the England striker’s upper arm for the only goal of a scrappy encounter. Tim Cahill’s first-half header was deflected onto a post by Anthony Stokes as the visitors had the better chances. Tim Howard denied the Black Cats an equaliser deep into injury time with a superb save from Andy Reid’s free kick. The visitors had the first real chance after 16 minutes, but Phil Jagielka’s header from a corner was gathered comfortably by goalkeeper Craig Gordon. With first-half chances few and far between, tempers began to fray as Everton’s Arteta was brought down by Phil Bardsley and Stokes tried to kick the ball out of the grasp of the prone Spaniard. Dean Whitehead then had the Black Cats’ only real chance of the half but scuffed his shot when set up invitingly on the edge of the area.