Sunderland vs Everton

Lyndon Lloyd , 20 April, 21comments | Jump to most recent

Match Preview

With their European propsects diminished somewhat by the draw at Arsenal on Tuesday, Everton's latest "cup final" with respect to unlikely Champions League qualification takes place at the Stadium of Light this weekend.

The Blues face a Sunderland side hoping that the nascent tenure of Paolo di Canio and their surprise 3-0 win in the Tyne-and-Wear derby last weekend marks the beginning of a resurgence in their fortunes.

Despite Everton's impressive record against them in recent seasons, the Black Cats will no doubt be buoyed by that result and looking to build on it as they try and push away from relegation danger — though they sit in 15th place, Sunderland are just three points above Wigan in 18th.

Leon Osman is again doubtful with a groin strain and David Moyes indicated that though the midfielder is on the mend, this game could come too soon for him to be passed fit.

It presents the manager with the oppotunity of naming an unchanged starting line-up from the one that pushed the Gunners all the way to grind out a goalles draw

That would, of course, mean another starting berth for Ross Barkley who showed genuine promise in his more natural role behind the striker at the Emirates, and Marouane Fellaini continuing in what his preferred position in central midfield.

It would also mean another week on the bench for Nikica Jelavic, the player who was the Talisman of what was one of the Blues' most memorable performances last season, the FA Cup quarter final replay on this same ground.

That display, in the middle of that explosive return of 11 goals in 17 games, seems a world away given the Croatian's alarming loss of form and goals this season and it's unlikely he'll get the chance to reprise that star turn at the Stadium of Light while Victor Anichebe retains his fitness and form leading the line.

As will be the case until they are mathematically eliminated from European qualification, nothing short of victory will be good enough for the Blues if they hope to catch either Arsenal, Tottenham or both between now and the end of the season to finish in the top four or five in the table. And Sunderland, buouyant or not, is the sort of side a team with top-four aspirations should be beating.

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Reader Comments (21)

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Ciaran Duff
1 Posted 20/04/2013 at 07:40:39

I must say that I am a bit worried about this one. Looking at SLAND's performance last week (they could have won by more) and even the previous week against Chelsea, shows that they are not a bad team. Given the home support (sell out crowd I think), the PDC effect, us backing up from mod-week and our overall poor away form then this is going to be a big test. We need to be as up for this one as we were against the Arse and Spurs. 3 points are essential as stated above but my gut feeling is that it will be a draw.
Hopefully we start with the same team and can hit them on the counter from either side of the park. Need big games from everyone.
(ps - 20 mins at the end for Oviedo pls).

Andy Meighan
2 Posted 20/04/2013 at 07:54:25

This has got strange one written all over it. One part of me says we ll win because of the form we're in, coupled with the defence getting their act together after months of going without a clean sheet... but the other part of me (like Ciaran) says they could be well buoyed by their great win last week.

Di Canio's first home game, crowd well up for it, and all that — it could be a difficult afternoon. If we keep them quiet for the first 20 mins, we could be in business.

We've been made of sterner stuff since Wigan and look a good side. And besides we're not Newcastle. To quote the great Alan Pardew [tongue firmly in cheek] "We're in a different league to them..."

Win and we are still hanging on the shirttails of the top 4; draw or lose and I'm afraid it's goodnight Irene.... So I'm going for a scrappy 1-0 win.

Sam Hoare
3 Posted 20/04/2013 at 08:29:24

In no way is this an easy game as they have some good players, especially in Johnson and sessegnon, a new fiery manager and some good momentum after thrashing the toon in the derby. Despite our good record against them we will do very well to leave with 3 points today as they will be confident and fired up.

Ian Bennett
4 Posted 20/04/2013 at 09:52:49

Again it's shit or bust, draws are no use. Let's go for it.

Mike Keating
5 Posted 20/04/2013 at 09:52:10

Is it on the telly?

Tim Jones
6 Posted 20/04/2013 at 10:21:36

One thing is absolutely nailed on and that is that Moyes will at some stage bring on Naismith so he gets his 'appearance money' - Its a Jock thing.

Kieran Fitzgerald
7 Posted 20/04/2013 at 10:49:39

Absolutely go for it. Two reasons. One is that Spurs have to play City tomorrow and the RS have to play Chelsea. Two tough games for those around us where they could drop points. A win for us today would put extra pressure on them. It could be just the set of results that get us back into the CL contention.

The second is that we cannot retreat back into our shells after the last five or six games. We have showed that we can play good football without having to resort to hoofball or backs to the wall stuff. Keep the momentum going and give this squad even more self belief.

Steavey Buckley
8 Posted 20/04/2013 at 11:01:27

This is not about 'if' or 'but,' Everton must get 3 points today or say goodbye to the champions league this season.

To allow Everton to go on the offensive against Sunderland today to get those 3 points, Everton must secure their defence with 3 at the back of Heitinga, Jags and Distin, to allow Coleman and Baines to forage in forward positions freed from more defensive duties. With Pienaar Gibson, Fellaini and Mirallas in midfield. Then with Anichebe as a lone striker.

I would settle for a 2:1 win.

Laurie Hartley
9 Posted 20/04/2013 at 11:01:09

I fancy us for 3 points here. If we play with the same spirit as we did at the Emirates we will have too much for them. I'm tipping Pienaar will have a big game. Sessengnon as Sam points out is their danger man. Good footballer.
COTB

Brent Stephens
10 Posted 20/04/2013 at 11:23:05

Peter Barry (AKA Tim Jones #072) - what, no caps?! (apart from Moyes and Jock) - very reverential!).

Paul Smith
11 Posted 20/04/2013 at 11:32:07

This one will not be easy. The Mackems have the new manager effect and will be right up for it. If we leave with 3 points today it will be up there with any of our performances this season! Whether we play well or not.

Max Murphy
12 Posted 20/04/2013 at 11:29:06

My worry is no fire-power up front. Anichebe again showed his limitations against the better teams, and Jelavic should not even be on the bench. Why Moyes persists with this player is beyond me, and his chronic lack of form is painful to watch. But no doubt he and Naismith will be introuced at some time in the game - one of the great mysteries of the season.
A win? We will have to look to the midfield or our defence to grab a few goals, unless Anichebe gets a clumsy rebound.
Prediction: 5-0 to Everton (don't wake me up - it's a great dream!)

Tim Jones
13 Posted 20/04/2013 at 11:39:58

Brent Stephens # 087 Please take your infantile stalking elsewhere.

Peter Cummings
14 Posted 20/04/2013 at 11:43:28

I predicted last week's draw... not today though. It can go either way after their derby win. We need to put more pressure on and avoid injuries as they are as physical as Stoke. We must keep our cool. Th game is on Sportsnet here (Ontario, Canada),10 am.

Sam Hoare
15 Posted 20/04/2013 at 12:00:36

Come on Tim/Peter. You're ToffeeWebs pantomime villain. Why else would you have changed your name to go incognito...

I applaud the drama of it.

GET OUT MOYESSSSSS!!HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Booooooooo....hissssss...he's behind you!

Richard Lyons
16 Posted 20/04/2013 at 12:20:33

Bad feeling (as always with me)... I just can't see where our goals will be coming from. Per game, we get maybe 2 flashes of brilliance from Mirallas, 1 awful miss each from Anichebe and Pienaar, then bookings to Fella, Pienaar and Barkley/Osman which weaken their contributions.

Just seeing the way Arsenal set up their chances for Giroud against us, and how Chelsea demolished Fulham – that shows the gulf in class between them and us... and that makes me worried about the RS game as well, I don't think we have anyone as good as (dare I say it) the player who isn't Annie's daddy and his Uruguayan colleague (can't bring myself to type their names).

Hopefully someone will convince me I'm wrong...

Steve Cotton
17 Posted 20/04/2013 at 12:35:58

Just to show you how out of touch the papers are with regard to the non CL 5 teams, the Mail have Everton down with Osman playing centre forward??? WTF! He is injured and midfield.

Sadly ladyman and his crony buddy both support the RS and will put anything in about us just to complete their EFC quota. After the Arsenal game, they also gave Seamus a 7, the lowest score on the team... so they probably didn't even watch the game... twats.

Brent Stephens
18 Posted 20/04/2013 at 12:38:52

Funny, Peter (Tim #093), I had somewhat similar sentiments.

Tim Jones
19 Posted 20/04/2013 at 12:07:24

Sam Hoare # 097 Et Tu Brute

Tom Bowers
20 Posted 20/04/2013 at 13:17:13

It amazes me too about the Anichebe selection as it in no way improves the team from when Jela was in. They are two different styles but if Jela is out of form Vic has never been 'in form''.

I think Vellios would have been given his chance to start in light of all this but no, Moyes once again doesn't show that he has any confidence in his reserves except Vic and even Barkley's selection on Tuesday was a surprise when he had fellow jock Naismith available and of course Heitinga.

Vic is just a workhorse much like Beattie and Bent who will never progress any further and like Osman benefits from the infinite patience of Moyes.

Brent Stephens
21 Posted 20/04/2013 at 13:26:24

Sam #097 - when I think of pantos, I think of panto horses - esp the rear end guy.

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