Everton manager David Moyes will face his former club Sunderland for the first time since leaving in 2017.
Everton travel to the Stadium of Light on Monday evening and are up against a Sunderland outfit who currently reside in the top four.
Opta’s supercomputer reckons the Toffees will beat Sunderland, which is pretty surprising considering the Black Cats’ home form.
Moyes will be desperate to get one over his former club, although after what happened in 2017, he may be a little apprehensive about returning to Wearside.
Sunderland manager David Moyes.
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
David Moyes left Sunderland in sour circumstances
Moyes might be set for a tense reception from Sunderland supporters on Monday evening, as he was manager when they suffered relegation to the Championship in 2017.
Fans were actually protesting against the Scotsman just before he resigned and were even threatening not to renew their season tickets if he didn’t leave.
Moyes’ 10-month spell in charge of the Black Cats was easily his worst period as a manager, as he suffered 28 defeats in 43 games.
Matches W D L Goals Points PPM
43 8 7 28 32:73 31 0.72
Moyes’ Sunderland record
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That said, Moyes will likely get some boos from opposition supporters for probably the first time in his career, apart from the Merseyside derby of course.
David Moyes said he regretted taking Sunderland job
Speaking after being appointed West Ham United manager in December 2017, Moyes admitted he shouldn’t have joined Sunderland.
“I do have a point to prove, yes,” the Scotsman explained. “I think maybe I have to do that and show it. Sometimes you have to repair things and maybe I have a bit to repair.
“For me, I didn’t do enough due diligence (before taking the Sunderland job). I came back and made a poor choice in the club I chose.”
Moyes proved his worth at West Ham and enjoyed two successful stints at the club, winning the UEFA Conference League in 2023.
Now back at Everton, he has already saved the club from relegation and is now hopeful of mounting a challenge for Europe.