Granit Xhaka drops bombshell on why He refused Jersey swap with one of Everton’s player after Sunderland’s Away Victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Granit Xhaka stunned reporters after Sunderland’s dramatic 3-1 away victory over Everton when he openly revealed why he refused a jersey swap request from defender James Tarkowski after the final whistle at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

 

The fiery post-match revelation instantly became one of the biggest talking points of the evening, overshadowing what was already a thrilling Premier League encounter packed with intensity, goals and late drama.

 

Sunderland arrived at Hill Dickinson Stadium as underdogs, but by full-time they had silenced the home crowd with a ruthless second-half display that completed a sensational comeback against Everton.

 

The home side started brightly and looked determined to control the occasion from the opening whistle. Everton’s aggressive pressing caused problems early on, and the fans erupted midway through the first half when the hosts took the lead through a well-worked attacking move that left Sunderland goalkeeper helpless.

 

For long periods of the first half, Everton appeared comfortable. Tarkowski marshalled the backline aggressively while Sunderland struggled to create clear openings. But tensions slowly began to rise as several heavy challenges flew into midfield.

One particular incident involving Xhaka and Tarkowski just minutes before half-time appeared to change the mood entirely.

 

The Sunderland midfielder went down heavily after a crunching tackle from the Everton defender near the touchline. Players from both sides rushed toward the scene as tempers briefly flared before the referee restored order.

 

Although play continued and no further action was taken, it was clear the challenge had angered Xhaka.

 

Speaking after the match, the experienced Swiss international admitted the tackle was the beginning of the heated confrontation that later led him to reject Tarkowski’s jersey swap request.

 

🗣️ “The issue started from that tackle before half-time,” Xhaka explained during his post-match interview.

 

🗣️ “I understand football is physical, but there are tackles that send a message beyond football. I felt it was unnecessary.”

According to Xhaka, the situation escalated further as players walked toward the tunnel at the break.

 

🗣️ “On our way into the tunnel, I asked him calmly why he was so furious and what the hard tackle was really for, if it were something personal,” he said.

🗣️ “Instead of speaking normally, he responded very rudely. Then we started exchanging words.”

 

The Sunderland midfielder then dropped the real bombshell that immediately sent social media into meltdown.

 

🗣️ “He told me I am just an overrated player who should be playing in the Championship or even lower leagues,” Xhaka revealed.

 

🗣️ “After hearing that, I already knew there would be no shirt swap between us after the game.”

 

The comments quickly spread across football platforms moments after the interview aired, with fans fiercely debating who was in the wrong.

 

While the controversy dominated headlines afterward, Sunderland’s football on the pitch was equally explosive.

 

The visitors came out for the second half with far more aggression and intensity. Xhaka himself looked determined to respond in the best possible way — through football.

 

Sunderland equalised shortly after the restart when a quick counterattack carved Everton’s defence apart before the finish was calmly slotted beyond the goalkeeper to stun the stadium.

 

From that moment, the momentum completely shifted.

 

Everton suddenly looked nervous under pressure while Sunderland grew stronger with every attack. Their midfield dominated possession, and Xhaka played a major role in controlling the tempo as the visitors pushed for a winner.

 

The second goal arrived after another defensive breakdown from Everton. A dangerous ball into the box created chaos before Sunderland capitalised clinically to complete the turnaround.

 

Boos echoed around Hill Dickinson Stadium as frustration poured from the home supporters.

 

Things went from bad to worse for Everton late in the game when Sunderland struck again with a devastating third goal following another rapid attacking move. The away bench exploded in celebration while the travelling supporters celebrated wildly in the stands.

 

At full-time, Sunderland players celebrated passionately on the pitch after securing one of their biggest away victories of the season.

 

But one awkward moment after the whistle caught everyone’s attention.

 

As players from both teams exchanged shirts and handshakes, Tarkowski reportedly approached Xhaka for a jersey swap. The Sunderland midfielder immediately declined before walking away toward his teammates.

 

The incident looked minor at first, but Xhaka’s interview later revealed just how heated the confrontation had become behind the scenes.

 

Despite the controversy, Sunderland manager and players praised the team’s mentality after coming from behind in such a hostile atmosphere.

 

For Everton, however, the defeat raised fresh questions about discipline, composure and their inability to manage pressure once momentum turned against them.

 

As for Xhaka and Tarkowski, their rivalry may now become one of the Premier League’s newest grudges after a fiery night that neither player — nor the fans — will forget anytime soon.