Kevin Phillips did his best with two special goals at Goodison Park but even his best efforts could not send Sunderland into Europe.

The little striker, so frequently overlooked by England, scored international-class goals to twice haul Sunderland back into a game that saw them finish with ten men after Don Hutchison's sending off.

Idan Tal gave Everton an early lead before Phillips produced a fine spin and shot in the box to blast his first equaliser.

Everton missed one penalty and saw Michael Ball net another before Phillips produced more quality to grab his second and 18th of the season.

But it was not enough, Sunderland falling agonisingly short of qualification which now sees Chelsea taking the final UEFA Cup spot.

It was the day for prayers for Sunderland that were not answered.

They had to win here and see Chelsea lose at Manchester City to clinch a UEFA Cup spot for next season.

But although Everton had little to play for after another miserable season they created the first chance and were soon ahead, giving one of their best home displays for weeks.

They were impressive in attack from the start. Firstly Tal's cross spun across goal after four minutes and Thomas Gravesen, arriving late on the far post, had his volley blocked by Emerson Thome just a couple of yards out.

The danger signs were there for Sunderland and they were punished nine minutes later.

Tal was brought down on the edge of the box by Kevin Kilbane, who was booked. The home players were angry the indirect free-kick had not been awarded inside the area.

But that was soon forgotten when from Scot Gemmill's tapped free-kick, Tal drove in a shot that clipped Stefan Schwarz as he rushed from the wall and flew past Thomas Sorensen.

Sunderland's response was instant and they stayed in control from then on. Niall Quinn headed over and Phillips saw a 20-yard shot held by Paul Gerrard at the second attempt.

But Sunderland were level on 22 minutes. Quinn's throw was knocked into the box by Julio Arca for Phillips to control, spin and drive past Gerrard for an excellent goal.

A minute later Gerrard had to palm away a Schwarz drive. Phillips' neat control, turning away from Steve Watson this time, created another shooting chance soon after while Julio Arca curled a 20-yard free-kick inches over the crossbar.

David Weir, named Everton's player of the year before kick off, marked the occasion by getting booked after 30 minutes for a wild kick that sent Phillips crashing to the ground and Watson was soon to following for fouling Kilbane.

Sunderland had been having the majority of possession and attacking ideas since their equaliser but they lost one of their more inventive players a minute from the break when Arca limped off to be replaced by Don Hutchison.

Seconds later Kevin Campbell's ball into the box was hooked onto a post by Mark Pembridge to give Everton hope for the second period.

Phillips should have restored Sunderland's lead when he ran onto a Quinn flick only for Gerrard to save bravely at his feet soon after the break.

But Hutchison found himself sent off on his return to Goodison Park on 63 minutes, even if Everton did waste the resulting penalty.

Tal created the opening with a fine ball across the box to send Unsworth powering in on goal, only for him to be tripped from behind by Hutchison who was shown the red card.

But Sorensen saved his side with a fine dive to his right to beat out Unsworth's spot kick.

Hutchison got a standing ovation from his former fans as he trudged off but soon Everton were going to get another penalty chance. This time they made no mistake.

Schwarz brought down Gary Naysmith and was booked for walking into the box and up to the ball on the spot in an attempt to upset Michael Ball's preparations. Ball, though, kept his cool and drilled the penalty home.

Ball and Gravesen also found themselves in the book for fouls as Everton moved towards what looked like being a rare victory.

But Phillips had other ideas when with eight minutes left he collected a flick from substitute Kevin Kyle before showing fine control and composure in the box to create space to blast home an angled drive for the equaliser.

Phillips almost scored the winner with a last-minute close-range free-kick, awarded because Gerrard picked up a back-pass from Watson.

But Watson, barracked throughout by Sunderland fans because of his Newcastle roots, had the last word with a headed goalline clearance.

Teams

Everton: Gerrard, Weir, Ball, Unsworth, Dave Watson, Naysmith, Gemmill, Gravesen (Alexandersson 80), Pembridge, Campbell, Tal (Cadamarteri 80).

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Clarke, Hibbert.

Booked: Weir, Dave Watson, Tal, Gravesen, Gerrard.

Goals: Tal 10, Ball 77 pen.

Sunderland: Sorensen, Arca (Hutchison 45), Carteron, Gray (Williams 68), Thome, Craddock, McCann, Schwarz, Kilbane, Phillips, Quinn (Kyle 68).

Subs Not Used: Thirlwell, Macho.

Sent Off: Hutchison (64).

Booked: Kilbane, Craddock, Schwarz.

Goals: Phillips 21, 83.

Att: 37,444

Ref: S Bennett (Kent).