Everton maintain Euro pressure

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.

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

With 12 minutes to go before the half-time whistle, Dean Whitehead had the chance to test Tim Howard from range as the ball fell invitingly for him. But his shot was scuffed into a crowded penalty box and he was later booked for an equally imprecise challenge on Steven 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.

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.

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