Everton v Sunderland

So we lost the derby and Moyes is once again tactically inept, he's got to go, has taken us as far as he can, dithering Dave…blah, blah, blah. These people who bang on about tactics all the time should take a reality check. Just because you led Torquay to the European Cup in Champ Manager it doesn't mean you're better qualified to lead the Blues to victory than the current manager. And so what if Moyes was out-thought by Benitez? He's not the first and he won't be the last!

But the facts are thus, since New Year's Eve we've played 12, won eight, drawn two and lost two. Last week aside, the last time we got battered was on the 28^th December 2005. This was against Liverpool when we got played off the park and were beaten 1-3. The game after we played Sunderland and, despite a miserable performance, a last minute Tim Cahill header got us the three points and set us on the run we are (were) currently enjoying. Fast forward to 2006…need I go on?

Now that's not to say that this match is going to be easy, because that's just not the Everton way! Sunderland are all but relegated and are looking to go down with the lowest ever top flight points total. So the pressure is all on the Blues and, as Alan Stubbs told Sky Sports, with another five wins we could quite feasibly make Europe. Which, given the start to the season that we had, would be every bit as much of an achievement as finishing fourth last season.

But Everton are always prone to blowing things at this stage of the season. Europe slipped from our grasp a couple of season's ago when we lost 0-1 to an all but relegated West Ham. And how many times has a team turned a losing streak around (if only for one match) against us?

Sunderland, though, really have had a wretched season. They have won just two games and amassed just 10 points so far. They had to wait six games before they picked up their first point, a 1-1 draw with West Brom, and their last win was on January 21^st, again, against West Brom. But they still shouldn't be taken lightly as they have earned draws against Bolton, Spurs and West Ham, teams that are all better placed than ourselves. And, as a final warning against complacency, John Stead still hasn't scored for them but he has scored the winning goal for the opposition on his last two visits to Goodison!

Historically, Everton and Sunderland meetings are split right down the middle. The two teams have met 11 times in the Premiership and both have won five, drawn one, lost five, and scored 14 goals in the process. The stats are much better at Goodison though as, in five meetings, we have won three, drawn one and lost one, scoring 11 and conceding six.

As far as team news goes, it looks like Richard Wright will keep his place in goal (no boos tomorrow please it'll do no-one any good!), Arteta is still a doubt and it looks like Nuno Valente could be out for the rest of the season with a thigh injury. Good job we signed all those left backs back on in the summer really! Andy van der Meyde will start his three match ban after his clash with Alonso last week. Speaking of which, does anybody know if Alonso had to go and see the same doctor that Arjen Robben did after he got cuffed by Jose ‘call me Pepe' Reina? Thought so…

Up the Blues!