Marouane Fellaini's the best at filling in anywhere, says manager David Moyes

The versatile footballer can often be condemned by the very virtue that makes him cherished. But not at Everton, not this season.

As David Moyes rattled off a mournful roll-call of the injured and missing - 10 in all, he said - Marouane Fellaini's importance grew name by name.

At 6ft 4in, Fellaini is usually head and shoulders above others and he is bound to stand out against Burnley today.

On Saturday at the Stadium of Light, it was no different. There he was, stationed in front of a makeshift back four, winning header after header against Kenwyne Jones.

Then he was briefly at left-back in the second half, then he was in the right place in the Sunderland penalty area to score a most deserved 85th-minute equaliser.

It was like having two players in one, which in Everton's situation is welcome. That explains Moyes's gratitude and his statement that Fellaini is now as good a midfielder as there is in the Premier League.

That was probably as good a midfield performance as I've seen this season,' Moyes said.

'He's turning into an outstanding player. He looked a top player today.'

Moyes offered a half-complaint about Everton's finances and the fact that he will be only in the loan market next month, but in his boardroom they may point out that the then 20-year-old Fellaini cost a reported £15million when he arrived from Standard Liege 16 months ago.That made him the most expensive player on the pitch.

'We've played him that way (defensively) a few times,' added Moyes. 'When he came he was a bit indisciplined because of his inexperience, and that's still the case, but in time that's what he'll be.

'He never was a striker. He played up front for us when we didn't have any strikers. There might be moments in games when I toss him up front. The boy can play in two or three positions.'

Everton had 67 per cent of possession and Fellaini's goal was the culmination of pressure that started as soon as Sunderland scored.

That was the 17th minute, before which Leon Osman hit a post and Louis Saha missed the first of several chances.

Then Darren Bent rose superbly to nod down to Jones, who responded with a pearl of a cross that Bent met at full pelt.

In that moment you could see why Liverpool are considering a swap proposal in order to get Jones, despite his inconsistency.