Sunderland v Everton Highlights | Sunderland 0 - 3 Everton Soccer Highlights

Sunderland escaped the clasp of relegation by three points last season under Sam Allardyce. Now Allardyce has been called up to take responsibility for England the thought of relegation is till very much on the cards. Having failed to sign another striker the club are relying on their 33-year-old Premier League veteran Jermain Defoe to provide the goods. 

Everton on the other hand, brought in former Southampton manager and Barcelona star, Ronald Koeman, to try and bring the best out of a talented group of players at Everton. So far the Toffee's are unbeaten with 7 points out of a possible 9.

It’s a big game for…

Yannick Bolasie, who signed for Everton from Crystal Palace for a fee of £25 million. The winger left Palace after a four-year spell at the club will have to prove to the Everton fans that he is worth the big bucks.

So far he has failed to score or assist in his two opening appearances for the Toffees. 

 Best stat…

Out of their last 26 meetings Everton have won 16 compared to Sunderland's 4 wins and four six draws. Everton's longest unbeaten streak over Sunderland lasted 10 years, between 2002 and 2012.

Remember when…

Everton put 7 goals past Roy Keane's Sunderland. Goals from Yakubu, Tim Cahill, Steven Pienaar, Andrew Johnson and Leon Osman completed a dazzling display by Everton.

Player to watch…

Ross Barkley. The 22-year-old suffered a disappointing blow as he was left out of Sam Allardyce's England squad for their international fixture against Slovakia.

However, the attacking midfielder has got off to a confident start so far this campaign under his new manager Ronald Koeman. Barkley scored in Everton's 1-1 draw with Spurs on the opening day of the season and also assisted Kevin Mirallas' goal in the Toffee's 2-1 win over West Brom.

Past three-meetings…

Sunderland 3 (Van Aanholt, Kone 2), Everton 0.

Premier League, May 2016.

Everton 6 (Deulofeu, Kone 3, Coates, Lukaku), Sunderland 2 (Defoe, Fletcher.)

Premier League, November 2015.

Everton 0, Sunderland 2 (Defoe, Graham).

Premier League, May 2015.

Form guide… 

Sunderland: DDLLWD

Everton: WWDWWW

Vital information…

KICK-OFF TIME: 8pm

TV: Sky Sports Sports 1, highlights on BBC1.

Odds…

Sunderland: 29/10

Everton: 10/9

DRAW: 28/11