Sunderland and Everton go head-to-head on Monday night in what should be a thrilling encounter at the Stadium of Light; but how do the two clubs compare off the pitch?
Last season, Sunderland emerged victorious in what has been dubbed the most lucrative match in football with their Championship play-off final win over Sheffield United.
Since then, Sunderland have made an unbelievable start in the Premier League and look like they could truly challenge for a spot in the top half of the table come May.
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Meanwhile, Everton have endured many years of disappointment and unfulfilled promise. But, things are finally looking up for the Toffees, with a new owner, new stadium, and David Moyes back to steady the ship.
So, as the two teams prepare for a big clash on Monday night, we’ve tasked our finance expert Adam Williams with delving into the differences between Sunderland and Everton.
Sunderland chairman and majority owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus watches his side lift the trophy after the Championship Play-Off Final match between Sheffield United and Sunderland at Wembley Stadium on May 24, 2025
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images
Where Sunderland and Everton stand in terms of PSR
First of all, Williams discussed the state of play for Sunderland, who are in an incredibly strong financial position thanks to Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and his shrewd investments over the last couple of years.
Williams said: “Sunderland have had the benefit of arriving in the Premier League with the most PSR headroom of any promoted team in history. That’s because they ran a tight ship in the Championship and, unlike the majority of sides in that division, kept their financial losses relatively low.
“Yes, they spent a lot in the summer, but a £100m-plus net isn’t as wild as it used to be in the Premier League, particularly for sides who have been promoted and instantly need to level up.
“There’s a lot to like about Sunderland financially – big stadium, engaged fanbase, a good story they can sell to sponsors. They’ve got good foundations there, a lot like Everton.”
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Sunderland spent over £163m in the summer on transfers, while the Merseyside outfit spent roughly £113m. But, expenditure aside, there’s no denying how big Everton are, or at least could and should be.
“Everton have also got a very dedicated fanbase. They’ve punched below their weight for too long. They should really be a mainstay in the top half of the Premier League when you look at their brand and the nature of the fanbase,” Williams added. “They were hamstrung by poor recruitment under Moshiri and, although they are in a much better place under PSR now, they aren’t in a position where they can spend with reckless abandon just yet.”
Sunderland are expected to spend again in January, with a new striker on the shopping list. Everton may well be paying the price for their new stadium for some time, but Hill Dickinson Stadium will put them in a strong position long-term, we’re told.
Everton owner Dan Friedkin profile shot
Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images
Sunderland and Everton have their own limitations and opportunities
With Dan Friedkin at the helm now, Everton can genuinely become a major player in European football. That is if the club play things right in the market for the next few years, at least. However, as we said, the new ground is pivotal to future success.
Williams added: “The move to the new stadium is clearly going to be transformative financially. The estimates I’ve seen suggest matchday income is going to double, and commercial income is probably going to do something similar.
“If they get their ducks in a row, that is the foundation to be able to do something like Aston Villa and Newcastle are doing and staging a sustained assault on the top echelons of the table.”
So, while Sunderland appear to be in a better place than Everton right now, there is certainly more scope for the Toffees to go on to bigger and grander things. They have deeper pockets, and a significant geographical advantage, too.
On this, Williams explained: “I think one of the key differences between the two clubs in their current incarnations is the ownership models. Friedkin has access to a broad capital base through the group that invested in Everton. There’s some very, very wealthy people involved. Louis-Dreyfus isn’t quite on the same level. His family are extraordinarily wealthy, but he hasn’t got the same buy-in from other investors.
“I think Sunderland are – through no fault of their own – also somewhat limited by their geography. It’s not near a major airport, which is something sponsors and investors genuinely value these days. Also, the club is based in an area whose average household has pretty low disposable income. That’s the legacy of scandalous post-industrial government policy and austerity.
“I hope having two teams in the Premier League can contribute to greater investment in the North East, but the region’s facticity is somewhat limiting when looked at through a commercial lens.”
We’ll soon know which club comes out on top in the contest on the pitch on Monday night. However, the long-term battle off the pitch will wage for years to come, and it sounds like it’s Everton’s to lose.