Sunderland's defence might be 'iffy', to say the least, but Everton's front three has looked the business today.

Gerard Deulofeu and Romelu Lukaku deliver the bullets and Arouna Kone does the rest. There's a great understanding between the three of them.

Image source, AP

Jamie Anderson: Not to say I told you so to everyone I told but a back three against Lukaku and Kone? What was Sam thinking? Where's the ten men behind the ball we should have been deploying?  

If you were a Sunderland defender, would you bother going back to the dressing room later and facing the wrath of Big Sam?

I'd jump over a gate, still in my kit, and get the train home. A much less frightening proposition.

Niall Hughes: How many managers do Sunderland have to go through before they improve their centre backs. Been awful since Bruce was in charge.

Tom Gardner: I'll bet fifty quid Sam Allardyce has Kevin Nolan signed up within the week after this result/ performance.  

Image source, Getty Images

One of my favourite Yorkshiremen Jonathan Jurejko is whirring into life for a dedicated live text of Southampton v Bournemouth. You can join JJ over here.

Romelu Lukaku's work is done and he is replaced by Leon Osman.

And what a shift from the big Belgian, who looks the part as a number 10 - pulling the strings and orchestrating the Toffees attack. A display Teddy Sheringham would have been proud of.

Image source, AP

James Bremner: Can I get a mention for the great refereeing at #EVESUN, external. Free flowing football needs a good referee, not a centre of attention.  

We'll get Romelu, Arouna and Ross to look into your technical issues, Steve (see tweet below). I'm sure normal service will be resumed soon.

Sorry Sunderland fans. It's best to laugh. If not, you'll cry.

Image source, Reuters

Steve Fletcher: What's going on ? No reports of a goal for at least 5 mins. Is it a technical fault?  

Everton almost make it 6 (six) when Kevin Mirallas breaks through the middle but he's forced wide by the keeper and Sunderland survive. For now.

Joel Ikechi Oblates: I thought Sunderland were in this when they equalised? Looking at the table I guess their position is were they truly belong.

Barney Kiddle: January can't come soon enough for Big Sam.

Craig Andrew Smith: Defensively we've not been good enough, but at the same time have to admire #Everton, external's performance. They have been outstanding.

Image source, Reuters

Seven goals in the first match on a Sunday is always good, isn't it?

Like finding out it's rhubarb crumble for dessert after your Sunday lunch.

Treats galore.

Romelu Lukaku is enjoying himself now - doing the old Ronaldinho trick of looking one way and passing the other to release Everton down the right. The cross comes in from Kevin Mirallas, but Arouna Kone falls over in trying to get on the end of it.

Does anybody know the score? I've lost count.

On a serious note, are Sunderland missing Lee Cattermole? He went off injured in the first half.

Image source, Reuters

Everton's little magician Gerard Deulofeu is brought off - much to Sunderland's relief, no doubt. His replacement? Only Kevin Mirallas.

Belete Eshetea: What a match we are having. If things continue like this, we might end up with the highest goals scored in a game.