After being demoted to the bench for Everton’s clash with Swansea, the Socceroo was handed a start and played all but three minutes against Sunderland.

He came close to opening the scoring in the opening seven minutes but his shot was parried away by Kieren Westwood in goal. The former Millwall man was presented with another opportunity seven minutes later but his header went well wide.

Despite early dominace from the visitors, Sunderland took a 26th minute lead through substitute Jack Colback. The English midfielder had barely been on the field for five minutes after replacing the injured Titus Bramble before scoring his first senior goal for the club.

Everton were level within six minutes of the restart although it wasn’t without controversy. Leon Osman went down in the box as Wes Brown and Lee Cattermole closed in on him but replays suggest there was no contact and that the Toffees midfielder had actually kicked the ground. Leighton Baines converted the penalty and extended Everton’s unbeaten run against Sunderland to fifteen games.

Chris Herd missed Aston Villa’s trip to Stoke. The midfielder who recently signed a new contract was forced to sit out again with injury. The two sides played out a goalless draw at the Britannia Stadium.

In a result that will no doubt please injured keeper Mark Schwarzer, Fulham played out a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge following their 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Manchester United last week.

Across in the Championship, Socceroo Neil Kilkenny played 68 minutes in Bristol City’s 1-0 loss at bottom placed Coventry. The defeat was Bristol City’s first away to Coventry in 32 years.

Patrick Kisnorbo put in a full shift for Leeds United in their 1-0 defeat away to Derby County at Pride Park. Derby are now unbeaten in last seven encounters against Leeds.

Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici kept his third consecutive cleansheet in his sides comprehensive 3-0 win at home to Brighton. Reading have not conceded in their games against West Ham, Leeds United and now Brighton.

Rhys Williams and Scott McDonald completed the full 90 in Middlesbrough’s 1-0 win over Richard Garcia’s Hull City at the Riverside.  Garcia  was introduced with 10 minutes remaining as he continues to regain full fitness. Boro have won four matches on the bounce and are now level on points with second placed West Ham.

Socceroo Mile Jedinak was suspended for Crystal Palace’s trip to league leaders Southampton. The hosts maintained unbeaten run at home with a 2-0 victory thanks to a brace from Guilherme.

Over in League One, James Wesolowski suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder in Oldham’s 1-0 defeat at home to Hartlepool. The midfielder was replaced after only eight minutes. Alex Cisak carried on in goal while Dean Bouzanis looked on from the bench.

In League Two, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff played the entire match as Shrewsbury and Cheltenham played out an entertaining goalless draw at the Abbey Business Stadium.

Follow me on twitter @Sachk0