Sunderland vs EvertonFormSunderland climbed out of the Premier League’s bottom three after a brace from Steven Fletcher and an impressive goal from Jordi Gomez earned them a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday night.
It was a much-needed three points for Gus Poyet’s side after falling to two defeats in their previous two outings in which they failed to score and conceded 10 goals.
The Black Cats suffered a humiliating 8-0 defeat at Southampton before losing 2-0 against Arsenal in what was their first league defeat on home soil this season.
But the performance against the Gunners was a good one, with only two costly mistakes leading to two goals for Alexis Sanchez.
They may have lost, but clearly the performance was enough to boost morale ahead of the meeting with the Eagles, and after three points at Selhurst Park, a return to the Stadium of Light should also breed confidence.
Last MeetingSunderland 0-1 Everton, Saturday 12th April 2014
Everton secured a record-breaking seventh straight Premier League win on their last visit to the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland defender Wes Brown put the ball into his own net with just 15 minutes remaining, in a game that looked destined to end in a stalemate.
Gerard Deulofeu powered past Marco Alonso and delivered a cross from the by-line which ricocheted off Brown and past goalkeeper Vito Mannone to gift the Blues a 1-0 victory and move Roberto Martinez’s side into fourth.
One to Watch – Steven FletcherHe was the match winner in Sunderland’s Monday night win at Crystal Palace and Steven Fletcher will be looking to continue his scoring form of late having scored four goals in his last four games.
The Scottish international bagged a brace in the 3-1 win at Selhurst Park and the forward also netted a double in Sunderland’s home win over Stoke City at the beginning of October.
Fletcher had spells at Hibernian, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers before moving to Sunderland in August 2012 and the six-foot-plus talisman striker has represented Scotland at all levels, making his full debut in 2008.
Team NewsRoberto Martinez has been assessing both Gareth Barry and Seamus Coleman over the past 48 hours after knocks.
Coleman has a deep cut to his Achilles that forced him to miss Thursday’s Europa League visit of Lille, while Barry had to be withdrawn in the second half following a 50/50 tackle with Sebastien Corchia that damaged his ankle.
Kevin Mirallas (hamstring), Bryan Oviedo (leg), Arouna Kone (knee), Antolin Alcaraz (shoulder) and John Stones (ankle) all remain sidelined.
For Sunderland, goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon is expected to start after making his Premier League debut at Palace in place of Vito Mannone.
Lee Cattermole is suspended, with fellow midfielder Emmanuele Giaccherini (ankle) and defender Patrick Van Aanholt (shoulder) ruled out.
Former Blue Jack Rodwell is rated a doubt with a calf problem, as is on loan Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates (knee).
For player and team comparisons visit:
www.evertonfc.com/fixtures/2010-to-2019/2014-2015/barclays-premier-league/sunderland-vs-everton
