Everton head north-east to take on Sunderland on Monday night, seeking just a second win in eight games in all competitions as their season begins to stall.
The miserable result against Tottenham last weekend – a fourth defeat in six in all competitions – was best summed up by the image of disgruntled Toffees fans walking out in the driving rain while a DJ blared out music in the fan plaza in a fruitless attempt to keep people in and around the stadium.
It felt like the first real misstep – both on and off the pitch. The manner of the defeat taught us nothing new about the weaknesses in the side – mainly misfiring strikers and a total lack of attacking full-backs – but it perhaps pressed home just how much those weaknesses may hold the team back this season. Meanwhile, the attempt to drum up “atmosphere” after a heavy home defeat felt like a failure to read the room.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Empty seats are seen as fans leave early during the Premier League match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Empty seats are seen as fans leave early during the Premier League match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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There is no need to panic, of course – 3–0 felt like a harsh scoreline in a match where all the key moments went against Everton, albeit some of those were self-inflicted. But it does feel like David Moyes may have to try something different, as Everton are starting to become easy to play against.
A myriad of options have been discussed on social media, including James Garner at right-back, Iliman Ndiaye as a false nine, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall dropping deep to accommodate Charly Alcaraz at 10. Then there is the challenge of somehow injecting some confidence into Beto and Thierno Barry, who both currently look bereft.
Monday night’s game and Saturday’s match with Fulham feel very important in the wider context of the season too, with a tricky-looking pre-Christmas run including games against Manchester United, Newcastle, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Arsenal to come after the international break.
Monday’s game will also be Jordan Pickford’s first return to his boyhood club, eight years after he left to join the Toffees. He is sure to receive a warm reception from both sets of fans. after all, he’s a mackem, he’s a blue…
The opposition
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18:Nordi Mukiele celebrates after scoring during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stadium of Light on October 18, 2025 in Sunderland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Martin Swinney - Sunderland AFC/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18:Nordi Mukiele celebrates after scoring during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stadium of Light on October 18, 2025 in Sunderland, United Kingdom. (Photo by Martin Swinney - Sunderland AFC/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
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The Black Cats are back – and they have been on quite the journey. In fact, both sides have endured severe turbulence since they last met in the Premier League in February 2016. But while Everton’s troubles have been contained within the top flight, Sunderland suffered back-to-back relegations and four miserable seasons in League One featuring two play-off defeats before eventually beginning the long climb back to the top.
That rocky ride will only make their achievements this season taste even sweeter, with the Black Cats knowing a win on Monday will lift them back up to second, having already accrued 17 points from their first nine games.
Yes, they spent more than any other promoted side ever has – around £150m on 13 new faces – but they have spent it wisely, and manager Regis Le Bris has already moulded those new players into an effective and well-organised team, featuring exciting young players such as Noah Sadiki (20), Habib Diarra (21), Trai Hume (23), Chemsdine Talbi (20) and Robin Roefs (22), anchored by arguably one of the signings of the summer – Granit Xhaka. The 33-year-old is one of only two players to have run more than 100km in the Premier League this season, the other being his midfield partner Sadiki.
The last time Everton played at the Stadium of Light, in September 2016, they coasted to a 3–0 win against a Sunderland team well and truly on the slide. When they arrive on Wearside on Monday, things could hardly be more different.
Previous meeting
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton of Everton ( bottom R) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Carabao Cup third round match at Goodison Park on September 20, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton of Everton ( bottom R) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Carabao Cup third round match at Goodison Park on September 20, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
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Sunderland were adjusting to life in the Championship when the two sides last met in an EFL Cup tie in 2017. A Black Cats side featuring Darron Gibson, Jack Rodwell and James Vaughan were well beaten 3–0 thanks to a double from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and a first Toffees goal for Oumar Niasse.
Everton have no fresh injury concerns for Monday’s game.
Jarrad Branthwaite is beginning his recovery from hamstring surgery that will likely keep him out of action for several months, while Nathan Patterson has had a minor groin operation that keeps him on the sidelines.
Final word
The way the two teams are playing, this feels like a home win all the way, especially in front of the Sky Sports cameras. But maybe being the away side suits this Everton team at present – and perhaps Moyes has come up with some sort of plan to reinvigorate the side that has begun to wilt in recent weeks.