Sunderland v Everton preview - Things to look forward to this weekendA Lukaku goal - at lastIt's been six months since Everton fans were able to cheer a strike from their talisman, their top scorer, their record signing.
Not since the FA Cup quarter final win over Chelsea on March 12 has Romelu Lukaku found the net in a blue shirt. It is the worst scoring drought of the 23-year-old's career.
After a summer of speculation and supporter-baiting media comments, the Belgian remains at Goodison Park - for the next few months at least - and Blues fans are desperate to see him get back to his best.
Two goals for Belgium, albeit against the might of Cyprus, hint that some form is returning. Ronald Koeman at his pre-match press conference on Thursday suggested that Lukaku was getting back to fitness after a "difficult" pre-season. "I hope his next goal is on Monday," he smiled.
Me too, Ronald, me too. And with Sunderland's defence looking about as secure as David Moyes' job, I'm backing him to get it. Neil Jones
Ashley Williams says Everton fans are right expect more this season
The inevitable home half-time boosIf Everton can get at Sunderland early - and, even better, score - then the Stadium of Light might be an unpleasant place on Monday night.
For the home side, that is.
I'm not sure there is a stadium in the Premier League that is more susceptible to turning on their own fans when things aren't going quite right.
Given what the Sunderland supporters have put up with recently, who can blame them?
But Ronald Koeman's side can play into that.
With the focus on David Moyes coming up against his old side, and a transfer window so poor, the Scot has been forced to dip into the free agent market to swell his squad, the Black Cats are ripe for a kick off in the stands.
Lest we forget, the last time Sunderland played at home in the league, they were turned over by local rivals Middlesbrough.
It's up to Everton to make sure that they go into the half time break with nothing but sweet Wearside boos in their ears. Kristian Walsh.
Seamus Coleman wasn't alone in having not hit his usual heights for Everton last season.
But so dependable has the Irishman been and so inexorable his rise since arriving from Sligo Rovers, the downturn in form was more surprising than most.
Injuries didn't help. And the new campaign started in much the same fashion as a frustrated Coleman was forced to sit out the embryonic stages of the Ronald Koeman era with an ankle injury.
Now, though, he is back. Having skippered the Republic of Ireland to a creditable 2-2 draw in Serbia in their opening World Cup qualifier on Monday night, the defender will be keen to make up for lost time.
Either at right-back or at right wing-back, Coleman has the tactically flexibility that will surely now make him one of the first names on Koeman's teamsheet.
And given former boss David Moyes a reminder of why the Scot plucked him from League of Ireland obscurity is as good a place as ever to underline the fact. Ian Doyle.
Sunderland's Jermain Defoe (left) and Evertons Leighton Baines battle for the ball
A Wearside clash to rememberEverton's official website featured some of the Stadium of Light's 'greatest' Sunderland v Everton showdowns this week.
It wasn't a long read.
After the FA Cup quarter-final replay win 2012 – watched by an 8,000 strong travelling army – it was a very, very short list.
Sunderland and Everton don't do North-East goalfests. At Goodison Park it's a different matter - 6-2, 7-1, 4-0 all in the last decade - but it's been grim up north.
Everton won there four times in succession between 2002 and 2009 – three of them one-nil grinds, while a 2-0 triumph at the end of the 2008/09 season was positively free-scoring.
The Toffees have run out to Prokofiev's Dance of the Knights 15 times now, and we're still waiting for a classic game to match the classical music.
Cue the Monday Night Football cameras.Monday night will be Everton's 200th match to be shown live on Sky Sports – and Everton have a bit of catching up to do. They have won 64, drawn 56 and lost 79.
But, to misquote Bob Geldof ever so slightly, Everton really do like Mondays.
Everton's record in their last 13 Monday night 8pm kick-off matches is won five drawn eight lost none!
After the anarchy of the Roberto Martinez years no-one will even mind if it's another 1-0 grind.
But surely we're due a good one this time? Dave Prentice.
David Prentice / Liv Echo