Everton v Sunderland

1. Everton XI: Howard, Coleman, Baines, Stones, Jagielka, McCarthy, Barry, Lennon, Barkley, Osman, Lukaku
2. Sunderland XI: Pantilimon, Jones, van Aanholt, Brown, Coates, Cattermole, Gomez, Larsson, Defoe, Wickham, Graham.

FULL-TIME

So if that result doesn't give hope to Sunderland fans, I don't know what will. That's a third win in the last five Premier League games. Can Newcastle catch you?

You can follow all this afternoon's games, including Newcastle versus West Brom in our main Premier League live text commentary. And Black Cats fans can relive the drama at Goodison in our match report of the game.

If you were at the game today, safe journey home. See you soon.

FULL-TIME

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How about this then Sunderland fans? You are out of the relegation zone - in fact you are out of the bottom six. So good we can't even fit you in our graphic!

The Black Cats move to 14th, ahead of this afternoon's fixtures, two points clear of the drop zone.

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Peter Collins: I've said for a while that Sunderland might mark relegation. Finish below them, you're gone. Finish above, you're safe.

Richie Macca: Delighted I stuck my money on Newcastle to go down. Bang out of form at the wrong time, and no sign of recovery. Oh dear.

Daniel Woodley: What a HUGE win for @SunderlandAFC! Not many gave them a prayer, including me, but well played! Relegation battle hots up!

FULL-TIME

Dick Advocaat has heaped the pressure on the other teams around him at the bottom of the table. The Sunderland boss has never been relegated and his side have taken a huge step to helping him maintain that record.

FULL-TIME

That's it. What a result for Sunderland, that takes them out of the bottom three and above Newcastle, among others, to 14th in Premier League table.

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Mr Waddle is right. Sunderland defenders Wes Brown, Sebastian Coates, and goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon have been superb.

Chris Waddle

BBC Radio 5 live

"You've got to say Everton have dominated game but it's just the final decision, should I pass, should I shoot?

"Sunderland have done well when they have lost the ball. When they have had to put their bodies on the line around the penalty area they have."

Dick Advocaat still instructing his Sunderland players but his work here is done. Everton fans leaving Goodison at a steady rate.

Four minutes of added time.

Sunderland haven't won away in 2015 before today but who cares about history? It's there to be re-written.

Chris Waddle

BBC Radio 5 live

"It's an unbelievable result. Sunderland haven't really played good football but they've dug in and they've got two deflections and looks like they're going to win the game. It will be Dick Top Cat soon."

"Are you watching Newcastle?" scream the Sunderland fans. Indeed.

YELLOW CARD

Adam Johnson has made a difference since coming on. His ball-carrying ability is priceless in this situation and he draws a foul from Luke Garbutt. Yellow card.

GOAL

Can you believe this? Another goal and another deflection. Steven Fletcher drives into the box and slips. Adam Johnson picks it up and shoots and his effort hits Seamus Coleman before cannoning in-off Jermain Defoe. World-class billiards!

Reuters

SUBSTITUTIONS

Double change for Sunderland. Steven Fletcher is coming on for Connor Wickham. Liam Bridcutt replaces Sebastian Larsson.

Everton's Romelu Lukaku crosses from the left but Seamus Coleman can't connect with it. The Irishman appeals that Jermain Defoe clipped him but there didn't look too much in it although there was contact.

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Mistake in the Sunderland midfield as Wes Brown gives the ball away, Aaron Lennon is onto the ball but Jordi Gomez makes a wonderful recovering tackle.

You look at the shape of the Sunderland team now and they are all well-drilled. Compact in defence with plenty of cover ahead of them. Everton's Romelu Lukaku scoops over from close range but he is offside.

"Sunderland' til I die," is the shout from the Black Cats supporters. Nervous 12 minutes for them now.

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James in Warwick: Sunderland have 2 penalties in the last game and now an improbable deflection. Someone, somewhere is looking out for them!!

James McCarthy is trying to win this game single-handedly for Everton. He collects the ball from Romelu Lukaku, drives into the left side of the Sunderland penalty area but his shot is high and wide. Promising, though.

John Murray

BBC commentator

"If Sunderland were any deeper they would be half way up the Gladwys Street End."

SUBSTITUTIONS

Sunderland's Adam Johnson comes on for Danny Graham while Leighton Baines is replaced by Luke Garbutt.

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HITS THE WOODWORK

More Everton pressure and James McCarthy smashes a 25-yard shot against the foot of the post. Sunderland hanging on a bit here as Seamus Coleman goes into the book for a foul on Jermain Defoe.

Sunderland centre-backs are earning their cash today. Sebastian Coates heads clear an Everton cross, then Wes Brown blocks a Seamus Coleman shot.

Another Everton corner. I'll admit I've lost count now. Costel Pantilimon, who has been excellent today, punches clear. Worries for Everton as Leighton Baines looks like he has a problem.

Don't forget Sunderland haven't won away in the Premier League in 2015. Everton are unbeaten at home this year.

This would be a famous victory for Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat. But does he need three strikers on the pitch now?

Chris Waddle

BBC Radio 5 live

"Ross Barkley has gone into Gareth Barry's role to see if he can get on the ball and make something happen for Everton. Kevin Mirallas has gone in the hole behind Romelu Lukaku. Sunderland are getting too deep."

YELLOW CARD

Everton really pressing for the equaliser now and in their desperation to hold on, Sunderland's Jordi Gomez and Jermain Defoe go into the book.

Unlucky from Seamus Coleman. The Everton right-back collects the ball on the edge of the penalty area, does some keepy-uppy and lashes a left-shot just wide but it got a deflection. Another home corner that comes to nowt but soon afterwards John Stones misses his kick with a great chance to test Costel Pantilimon.

Cross from the left by Everton's Romelu Lukaku and when it is cleared, it falls to Seamus Coleman but Jordi Gomez makes a telling block. Sunderland sticking with what they have, now?

SUBSTITUTION

Everton going for the goal now. Kevin Mirallas on for Gareth Barry.

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Jay: Advocaat's head must be spinning sitting on the dizzying heights of 14th place.

Sanj: Sunderland winning, Hull & Leicester with winnable home matches, Newcastle Utd could be in the Bottom 3 tonight!

PA

Chris Waddle

BBC Radio 5 live

"It was a counter-attack. Seb Larsson put the ball across, Jordi Gomez had the shot and after the deflection Tim Howard can't reach it. The Sunderland fans go wild,. Danny Graham will be claiming that. He doesn't know anything about it but when you haven't scored in 26 games you'll claim anything."

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CLOSE!

Wow, almost another for Sunderland. Patrick van Aanholt bursts down the left, wriggles between two challenges and has time to shoot from close-range but his effort skews off his left boot and into the side netting.

If Sunderland can hang on to win, victory will take them above Hull, Leicester, Newcastle and Aston Villa into 14th.

So is the luck with the Black Cats? The goal has certainly stirred the home fans and Everton are looking for a response.

GOAL

Amazing. Sunderland counter-attack, the ball breaks to Jordi Gomez, whose shot from the edge of the area takes a massive deflection off Danny Graham. He was almost trying to get out the way and it cannoned off his ankle. What fortune!

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Sunderland sweep down the other end and this time Sebastian Larsson's cross is scooped over by Danny Graham.

CLOSE!

Guess what? Another Everton corner after a drilled cross is blocked by Costel Pantilimon. From the resulting set-piece Romelu Lukaku heads wide from eight yards despite being unmarked. Great chance.

Who like corners? First one for Everton sees Lee Cattermole block Gareth Barry's close-range effort. Another corner and Connor Wickham manages to head wide of his own goal in front of Romelu Lukaku. A third one has Costel Pantilimon tipping Phil Jagielka's header over and a fourth is eventually smashed away by Sunderland. I'm losing count!

Bright sunshine at Goodison now, atmosphere a bit muted. You have to think Sunderland have got a real chance here, if they want it.

KICK-OFF

Sunderland get us under way again. No changes for either team.

HALF-TIME

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HALF-TIME

Chris Waddle

BBC Radio 5 live

"Everton are dictating. Sunderland need to change it. With Jermain Defoe and Connor Wickham playing wide, it's not playing to their strengths."

Take Waddle's point but Dick Advocaat clearly has a game plan to pack the midfield and track Everton's full-backs. So far it seems to be working.

HALF-TIME

When we are talking about end product, Leighton Baines has not really been his real self today. Seven crosses for the Everton left-back, including corners, and not one has reached a team-mate.

HALF-TIME

Twitter

HALF-TIME

Everton are going to use half-time today to mark the 30th anniversary of their 1985 title triumph.

Howard Kendall, manager of that famous Everton side, is among those in attendance along with a host of his title-winning players.

PA

HALF-TIME

Everton had 73% possession in that opening half but unless they improve their end product, it will be mean absolutely nothing.

HALF-TIME

Chris Waddle

BBC Radio 5 live

Reuters

"Those efforts from Romelu Lukaku and Leon Osman should have led to the opening goal. Costel Pantilimon has a good season and kept Sunderland in games on numerous occasions and he didn't know much about those ones. Everton are finishing the half strong. Dick Advocaat has to change it."

HALF-TIME

But the referee Lee Probert blows the whistle before it can be taken. Given most of the other efforts it probably wouldn't have mattered anyway.

One minute of added time. Everton win another corner!

Black Cats striker Connor Wickham wriggles into space to shoot towards goal but his effort is easily gathered by Tim Howard, who's not had his most challenging half of the season.

YELLOW CARD

Everton's Ross Barkley is starting to pick up the ball in danger areas. But I always think he could take a few more shots rather trying a cuter pass. Is it just me? Elsewhere, Wes Brown goes into the book for a foul on James McCarthy.

CLOSE!

Two great chances for Everton and Costel Pantilimon is Sunderland's saviour. Leon Osman plays Romelu Lukaku through and the Romanian smothers his effort before Osman then fires towards goal but the goalkeeper blocks the shot with his feet. Great keeping.

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And it is cleared by Jermain Defoe, one of the smallest players on the pitch. Everton lacking accuracy.

A few more Sunderland fans have now arrived after earlier traffic problems on the M62. They need to play their part here as Everton once again win a corner. Connor Wickham heads out for another one. That's Everton's fourth of the half.

You can't accuse Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat of lacking ambition, with Danny Graham flanked by Jermain Defoe and Connor Wickham in a front three. But as Chris Waddle said earlier (see 24 mins), do you want Defoe out wide?

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Goodison Park is pretty quiet so far. Everton's efforts are not quite coming to fruition and Sunderland will hope it stays that way. No shots on target as yet.

Chris Waddle

BBC Radio 5 live

"Sunderland have just started to come into the game. They are getting a bit more space and time on the ball. But the big worry for Dick Advocaat is that ball down the sides for Romelu Lukaku. Sunderland have no pace at the back."

Sunderland striker Connor Wickham growing in confidence too. He collects a throw-in and hammers an angled shot wide from 25 yards. He's the Black Cats' top scorer in the Premier League with five goals this season. Kind of tells its own story!

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Ooh this is unlucky for Sunderland. Lee Cattermole does brilliantly to stop an Everton counter attack, slips the ball to Jermain Defoe but his shot from the edge of the area blasts off the back of Connor Wickham.

The pattern of this game has been set. Sunderland are looking to break on the counter attack, and you get the feeling they are becoming more comfortable at the back.

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Safe to say Everton (on the left of the heat map below) have dominated the game so far. Sunderland looking cool in comparison.

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Chris Waddle

BBC Radio 5 live

"It must be strange for Jermain Defoe, who is a goalscorer and a central striker, to be playing on the right side of a three.

"When you have got others who can play there I find it strange. Does he have to play him?"

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Everton defender John Stones looks like he is struggling with an injury but signals to the bench he is OK to continue. Meanwhile, Sunderland midfielder Sebastian Larsson teams up with Billy Jones down the right but his appeals for a corner fall on deaf ears.

Sunderland centre-back Sebastian Coates does really well to stop Leon Osman's low cross from the right reaching Romelu Lukaku before Ross Barkley wastes a good chance 12 yards from goal as his effort is blocked.

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Jordi Gomez, scorer of two vital penalties in the win over Southampton last weekend, is yet to impose himself on this game. Lee Cattermole is pressing and cajoling but Sunderland need more of the ball.

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A rare foray by Sunderland as Patrick van Aanholt picks up a diagonal pass close to the edge of the penalty area, but he is pushed aside by Seamus Coleman. Referee Lee Probert waves away Dick Advocaat's appeals for a foul.

Chris Waddle

BBC Radio 5 live

"Everton are dominating because Sunderland don't want to play when they get the ball. They are happy to just clear the ball. Sunderland have started very poorly."

Everton well on top as Romelu Lukaku is now played through by Leon Osman, but Costel Pantilimon races out to beat the Belgian forward to the ball.

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Another free-kick for Everton as Sebastian Coates fouls Romelu Lukaku 30 yards out but again it comes to nothing. The following corner is also wasteful. Everton on top with 83% possession but the final ball is lacking.

Leighton Baines is getting plenty of space down the left and Jermain Defoe pulls back the Everton left-back to concede a free-kick. But Baines's set-piece to the left side of the penalty area is too deep for John Stones.

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CLOSE!

Everton taking the initiative and after a Leighton Baines cross is cleared, Leon Osman collects the rebound but his curling shot from outside the box is a couple of feet wide.

Ross Barkley, back in the Everton side instead of Steven Naismith, collects the ball deep and tries to finds Aaron Lennon. He's seeing plenty of the ball early on as he slots in behind lone forward Romelu Lukaku.

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Traffic problems delay Sunderland fans

A good number of Sunderland fans have not made it to the ground yet due to an incident on the M62.

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Connor Wickham collects the ball deep in the Everton box after it bounces to him but the Sunderland forward's pull-back cannot find a team-mate. Decent start at Goodison.

Everton left-back Leighton Baines bursting down the left trying to attempt a cross but it just runs out of play. Good intent, though.

KICK-OFF

We're off. Everton get us under way.

Steve Bower

BBC Match of the Day commentator

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"Relegation-threatened Sunderland knew they had to win last weekend at home to Southampton, and they did ... just. But without wanting to dampen any Wearside spirits, three of their last four matches 12 months ago were at the Stadium of Light; this time they have only one home game left.

"I know there is a strong determination in the Everton squad to finish a disappointing season strongly and as high up the table as possible."

The teams are out but some of the Sunderland support are reportedly stuck in bad traffic coming down from the north east. Let's hope they don't miss anything important!

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And while we are debating the key issues, it was interesting listening to former England fast bowler Steve Harmison and England women's international midfielder Jill Scott on 5 live earlier this week on the subject of north-east rivalry. Harmison is a Newcastle fan, while Scott is a Sunderland supporter. Both were saying they didn't want their rivals to go down, purely because they looked forward to derby days so much. Is that the case for you Black Cats fans?

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Andy Cryer

Everton's improved league form has coincided with them exiting the Europa League. Although they are well out of the running for qualifying this season, they could be heading back there next season through the fair-play league after Uefa granted an extra spot to the Premier League on Friday. Would that be a blessing or a curse given the struggles to combine European and domestic form this season?

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AP

It doesn't seem like too long ago that Everton were flirting with relegation themselves. But five wins from their last seven games have taken them into 11th and the relative comfort that Sunderland can only dream of. Does that mean Roberto Martinez's side will be taking it easy?

Absolutely not, says the Spaniard, who knows a thing or two about relegation battles with former club Wigan. "We have everything to play for this weekend and we need to bounce back from the disappointing result at Aston Villa."

Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat on BT Sport: "We know how Everton play, and we know how difficult it will be to beat them. Last week we were very up for up and there is a positive atmosphere in the dressing room. It's a must-not lose game but we will try to win."

Sunderland will know how much pressure a victory will put on their rivals but they are the only one of their close rivals to play away this afternoon. At 15:00 BST Hull host bottom club Burnley, who will be relegated if they do not win. Aston Villa face West Ham, Leicester are at home to Southampton and Newcastle are looking to end their dreaded run versus West Brom.

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This is the size of the task facing Sunderland. The one benefit they have is a game in hand over their rivals, which is a trip to Arsenal before they face champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on the final day. Before that they face Everton today and Leicester at home. How big is that game going to be?

Team news

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Ross Barkley and Leon Osman step up from the bench into the Everton midfield with Steven Naismith and Kevin Mirallas making way.

Sunderland make one change from the team that beat Southampton with Wes Brown replacing the injured John O'Shea in the centre of defence.

Everton XI: Howard, Coleman, Baines, Stones, Jagielka, McCarthy, Barry, Lennon, Barkley, Osman, Lukaku.

Sunderland XI: Pantilimon, Jones, Van Aanholt, Brown, Coates, Larsson, Cattermole, Gomez, Defoe, Wickham, Graham.

Ok enough shoe-horning, let's get some team news.....

So what are the chances of that? Well, based on recent evidence it makes grim reading for Sunderland. They are without a Premier League away win in 2015, while Everton are unbeaten at Goodison this year. Still, we were told by the pollsters what might happen in the general election and that wasn't too accurate was it?

Nasty in the north-east

Reuters

The gloomy picture on Tyneside might be causing plenty of amusement among Sunderland fans, but they cannot laugh too much yet. With the Black Cats dropping into the bottom three after Leicester's recent revival, Dick Advocaat's team are two points worse off than their north-east rivals but a win at mid-table Everton can take them soaring above Newcastle and three other relegation strugglers.