Johnson scored the only goal of the game when Mikel Arteta's left-wing cross ricocheted off his arm in the 55th minute, leaving their committed but limited opponents still nursing relegation worries.

The striker had earlier missed a gilt-edged opportunity to open the scoring, heading over from point-blank range when Tim Cahill's effort was cleared off the line by Anthony Stokes.

Everton captain Phil Neville passed loosely with just a minute gone, giving Kenwyne Jones an invitation to attack the right wing.

Joleon Lescott was caught cold by Jones' run but Phil Jagielka made a fine covering tackle.

The Black Cats continued to press the Everton defence and both Tony Hibbert and Lescott were fortunate to get away with poor touches at the back.

Jagielka forced Craig Gordon into the first save of the match in the 16th minute but his header looped softly to the Scot.

There were appeals from the crowd for a home penalty when Stokes' cross from the right was blocked by a jumping Lescott, but there were no obvious signs of handball.

Jones then pressured Tim Howard under a high ball but his presence was little more than nuisance value as clear opportunities remained thin on the ground.

Phil Bardsley ensured that remained the case after 26 minutes, sliding in full-blooded on the edge of his area to deny Stephen Pienaar time to shoot.

That enthusiasm bubbled over soon after, Bardsley fouling Arteta on the left. More worryingly, though, was what appeared to be a kick aimed at the floored Spaniard by the incoming Stokes.

With 12 minutes to go before the half-time whistle, Dean Whitehead had the chance to test Howard from range as the ball fell invitingly for him.

But his scot was scuffed into a crowded penalty box and he was later booked for an equally imprecise challenge on Pienaar.

Cahill then had the chance to send the visitors in ahead but failed to beat Stokes on the line.

Johnson won the loose ball but will have been disappointed not to find the net with a header that sailed over the crossbar.

Stokes had no further chance to impress, manager Roy Keane sending on Michael Chopra for the second period.

The Black Cats restarted with a better tempo and after 47 minutes, Daryl Murphy's whipped cross narrowly failed to find the leaping Jones at the far post.

Cahill then received a caution, awarded for a petulant trip on Bardsley after two crunching challenges by the impressive full-back.

Kieran Richardson, like Bardsley a former Manchester United player, soon had his first real impact, surging through the middle of the park and releasing Murphy with a cross-field pass.

The Irishman, with just Hibbert to beat, showed too much of the ball to the right-back and the danger evaporated.

It looked like it would take a piece of luck to make something happen and it came when Arteta sent a searching cross into the Sunderland penalty area, with Johnson lurking.

At least three bodies surged towards the centre but it looked as though the final touch came from the former Crystal Palace striker's shoulder and the ball sailed over Gordon and into the net.

As Sunderland's response faltered, Murphy was dispossessed just outside his own box, conceding a free-kick as he tracked back.

Johnson created space 10 yards out from Arteta's delivery but Nyron Nosworthy's last-ditch tackle smothered his shot.

By now, the hosts were looking to Jones for inspiration and, with 19 minutes remaining, he came to life.

He powered through the Everton midfield with a muscular run but eventually ran out of steam with three blue shirts surrounding him.

Keane used his final substitute in the 75th minute, striker Rade Prica joining Chopra and Andy Reid in coming from the bench.

But despite the increased attacking options, Sunderland could find no way past Everton, Chopra seeing his first shot blocked by a defender.

Chances did materialise, Jones working tirelessly to turn scraps into attempts on goal but Howard did a good job in dealing with the supply line.

There was nearly late drama when Reid produced a sterling free-kick in stoppage-time but Howard again excelled, tipping over to end the resistance.