Everton failed to build on an early lead and had to settle for a point in a 2-2 draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats three game record of not conceding at home ended after only six minutes when Tim Cahill headed Everton into an early lead.
Welbeck scored the first of his two goals midway through the first half and then put the home side ahead with twenty minutes remaining.
A game high on action but lacking in finesse ended with honours even as a Mikel Arteta strike rescued a point for Everton.
Even in the remaining few minutes both teams could have claimed all three points.
Welbeck missed the chance of his hat-trick and Toffees substitute Jermaine Beckford blasted straight at Sunderland keeper Gordon.
Referee: Peter Walton
Venue: Stadium of Light Attendance: 37,371
Sunderland scorers: Welbeck 23, 70 Everton scorers: Cahill 6, Arteta 83
SUNDERLAND 01 Gordon 02 Bardsley 03 Richardson 04 Turner 15 Onuoha 29 Ferdinand 06 Cattermole 07 Zenden (Malbranque 69) 10 Henderson (Al-Muhammadi 85) 11 Bent 17 Welbeck
Substitutes 22 Mignolet, 12 Angeleri, 14 Da Silva, 08 Malbranque, 16 Riveros, 27 Al-Muhammadi, 34 Adams
EVERTON 04 Howard 03 Baines 05 Heitinga (yellow card) (Beckford 83) 06 Jagielka 15 Distin 18 Neville 23 Coleman (Rodwell 65 (yellow card) 10 Arteta 17 Cahill 20 Pienaar 08 Saha (Yakubu 82)
Substitutes 01 Mucha, 02 Hibbert, 07 Bilyaletdinov, 26 Rodwell, 16 Beckford, 19 Magaye Gueye, 22 Yakubu
