Rob Burroughs: Tbh, if Adam Johnson had a decent right peg, that's 1-0 for Sunderland. Good lord.   

Image source, Reuters

Is Tim Howard going to have one of those days where he saves everything? He makes a superb stop to deny Jermain Defoe with a low shot. The follow-up from Adam Johnson smashes off the post and Howard then flings himself in front of Steven Fletcher's effort but is beaten to it by Seamus Coleman. A goal-mouth scramble of epic proportions. Everton, somehow, survive.

Sam Allardyce, by the way, hates it at Goodison Park. He has lost each of his last six PL games against Everton (all with West Ham) overall and each of his last five top-tier visits to Goodison Park (with Bolton, Blackburn and West Ham).

#bogeyground

Image source, Reuters

Big Sam won't like that. His Sunderland midfield allow Ross Barkley to get on the ball in a central position and to drive forward. The Black Cats' defence parts but the midfielder's shot goes wide.

Jermain Defoe and Steven Fletcher look like they've been putting in the hours on the training field this week. The classic big man and little man combination helps Sunderland break and, after dragging four defenders out of position, Defoe slips the ball to Fletcher only for a promising move to break down.

Image source, Reuters

A tame shot from Romelu Lukaku trickles towards the Sunderland goal but is easily dealt with.

Kelvin: So Oviedo starts for #Everton, external? What happened to Galloway? This will be team's third left back.

Mr Chimps: Ha'way Big Sam, let's get a result today.

And now a minute's applause for Howard Kendall. An Evertonian legend.

Every man, woman and child is on their feet and clapping.

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland's gameplan is clear - long balls, a flick on from Steven Fletcher and the ball is worked down the left where Patrick van Aanholt smashes a shot against the post. Tim Howard was rooted to the spot.

It's early doors, of course, but already Sunderland are snapping into the tackles, winning headers and making sure they are first to the second ball. Big Sam's got his boys fired up.

A minute's silence is impeccably observed. And now we're under way.

Image source, Reuters

King Henrikh: Keep your eye on Yedlin in the midfield. He might just be the quickest player in the Premiership now and now has licence to go.  

Image source, Getty Images

Before we start, here's a little heads-up from 'King Henrikh...

Sam Allardyce explains his 3-5-2 system on Sky Sports: “I don’t play it that often, but every game is different for me. Five at the back, or three centre-backs, has suited me very well in the past, but for me it’s about making sure Everton don’t do what they do best, which is play with attacking flair and creativity.”

Right then... it's almost time for kick-off at Goodison. First, however, Everton captain Gareth Barry and Sunderland skipper Lee Cattermole will lay a poppy wreath.

It's totally unconnected to today's game, but a story in The Sun, external caught my eye this morning.

It concerns Manchester City winger Jesus Navas, who apparently drives to training in an £8,000 Nissan Micra.

It's far from the flashiest motor on display at Carrington. Fair play to Navas though.

I'm sure it gets him from A to B and all that.

Eashwar Rajan: Arsenal have used 21 different players in the PL. If that doesn't show depth, what does?

Everton have only won one of their last five meetings with Sunderland (D1, L3), so they'll be looking to put that right today.

As ever when I watch the Toffees, I'm looking forward to seeing Ross Barkley in action.

With three goals and three assists this season, Barkley has already equalled his best-ever haul of goal involvements in a single Premier League campaign (also six in 2013-14).

I disagree with Lawro there. Surely it's nailed on Sunderland will stay up now?!

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender on MOTD2 Extra