Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Everton and Sunderland.

Due to their early exits from the FA Cup, both the Toffees and the Black Cats were forced to have a break from action on the pitch but their respective managers will be hopeful that their players will return refreshed for the contest at Goodison Park this afternoon. Everton are the huge favourites to prevail on Merseyside but who knows how Sunderland will benefit taking some time away from the spotlight.

The match also marks just the second time in which David Moyes has returned to Everton since his exit in 2013. His last game at Goodison Park, when he was the manager of Manchester United, proved to be his final game in charge of the Premier League giants. He will hoping he doesn't suffer the same fate if his side lose out this afternoon.

Anyway, without further ado, let's crack on with the team news. Both managers had some big decisions to make...

EVERTON XI: Robles; Coleman, Williams, Funes Mori, Baines; Gueye, Schneiderlin, Davies; Lookman, Barkley, Lukaku

EVERTON SUBSTITUTES: Stekelenberg, Jagielka, Mirallas, McCarthy, Barry, Valencia, Holgate

SUNDERLAND XI: Pickford, Jones, Kone, O'Shea, Oviedo, Gibson, Ndong, Larsson, Borini, Januzaj, Defoe

SUNDERLAND SUBSTITUTES: Mika, Manquillo, Lescott, Honeyman, Khazri, Love, Gooch

Everton manager Ronald Koeman had slight injury doubts over both Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku but both offensive-minded players have been passed fit to feature in an unchanged starting lineup. It means that Ademola Lookman retains his place in the side and both Gareth Barry and James McCarthy remain on the bench.

As for Sunderland, Moyes is able to welcome back goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after a number of months on the sidelines. There was also a question mark regarding how many former Everton players would be selected by Moyes. The answer to that question is two, with January arrivals Bryan Oviedo and Darron Gibson both starting on their return to the club, Another, Joleon Lescott, is on the bench but Steven Pienaar is out through injury. Sunderland must make do with Jason Denayer, who is absent from the squad through illness.

HEAD TO HEAD! Today's fixture represents the 183rd time in which these two teams have met in a competitive fixture, with Everton winning 81 times in comparison to 71 victories for Sunderland. As history suggests, it is a match-up which regularly throws up different results and that has been the case over the last eight meetings, with Sunderland winning four times, Everton claiming three triumphs and the one draw coming at the Stadium of Light in November 2014. You also have to go back to Boxing Day in 1983 for the last goalless draw.

Despite Manchester United being in EFL Cup action this weekend, Everton can only close the gap to four points as they chase down sixth spot. Strengthening their bid to claim seventh position is probably more realistic, and victory this afternoon would ensure that they remain at least four points above West Bromwich Albion.

As for Sunderland, they can theoretically move off the bottom and outside of the relegation zone with three points but that would depend on how Crystal Palace and Hull City fare, with those two teams also in action in the 3pm kickoffs.

Pickford probably won't have time to listen to any music when the game starts - it is likely to be a busy afternoon for the young English stopper. However, his return is a significant boost for Sunderland. He hasn't featured since the Boxing Day defeat at Manchester United but if he can remain fit for the remainder of the campaign, it will give Sunderland a much better chance of remaining in the top flight.

What do we think @JPickford1 is listening to here?

🎧🚨🎶#GetTheRaveOn #EVESUN pic.twitter.com/6yclCeXcGy — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) 25 February 2017

In Pickford's absence, they have only recorded one victory in 10 fixtures, which was the 4-0 thumping of Crystal Palace. Before that, he had been present in a team which won four times in seven games. All the defence are going to have to do their bit, but there's no doubting that he has an influence on this side.

Everton have been relatively hit and miss this season. They've had runs where they have gone undefeated and winless streaks that have seen them drop down the table. At the moment, they have not lost a Premier League game since the setback against Liverpool on December 19. It's a run which has seen five wins and three draws, and 19 goals and five clean sheets. Sunderland are going to be up against it this afternoon.

PREDICTION! Sunderland's 4-0 win at Crystal Palace is still fresh in the memory but we have to back Everton here. He may not have scored in the goalless draw away at Middlesbrough but Lukaku has been unstoppable at Goodison Park on a number of occasions this season and we expect him to score a couple today. Everton to win 3-0.

It's going to be an interesting few minutes as far as receptions are concerned. Moyes is expected to receive a mixed one -undeservedly in my opinion - from the Everton faithful but he are yet to see how Oviedo and Gibson will be welcomed. Warmly, you'd have thought, but we shall wait and see.

The two teams have made their way out at Goodison Park. It all seems very friendly at the moment. I will keep you posted if it changes!

We are underway on Merseyside.

Everton have started the match in the ascendancy and were able to win an early corner. However, it was a poor delivery into the box and Sunderland gained a goal kick.

This has been a very promising start from Everton. Schneiderlin has already seen a shot deflected wide of the target before Barkley almost found Williams with a free kick. It's important that Sunderland remain resolute in these early stages. They cannot afford to go behind early on.

SHOT! Everton have already had four corners and now Lookman sees his deflected effort well smothered by Pickford. Sunderland need to find a way to halt this pressure. It's one-way traffic.

We've not seen too much of Lukaku thus far but there's not much between himself and a fine pass from Coleman. Sunderland have had one break forward but it came to nothing.

SHOT! Everton win a free kick on the edge of the area after a foul conceded by Borini but Lookman shoots over the crossbar after being teed up by Barkley.

Sunderland are finally starting to settle into this match, but they were unable to create anything after winning a corner. So far, we haven't seen much of Defoe but the striker doesn't necessarily have to be in the game to get on the scoresheet.

CHANCE! We told you that Pickford would have a big part to play on his return and he has justified his selection here with a big save to deny Gueye at his near post after the midfielder had progressed towards goal.

Everton continue to have the better of this game but Sunderland are at least showing more ambition than they did in the opening stages. Borini just went on a mazy run beat two players but his shot was poor and it went out for a goal kick.

We are still less than a third of the way through this match but Moyes will deem this start from his side as a success. Pickford has needed to be alert on a number of occasions but he and the defence have come through it without conceding. The next task is to reach the break with the scoreline still goalless.

Sunderland have an opportunity to get the ball in from a free kick but Larsson's delivery is over-hit. I expected better from the Swede in that situation and the visitors can't afford to waste those situations.

LATEST! There's been a goal in the clash between Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough, and it's Palace who have got it thanks to Patrick van Aanholt. That's a massive goal in the relegation fight.

Larsson takes another free kick but again, it's poor. It leads to a rapid counter-attack from the home side but Barkley's pass to Lukaku is over-hit and Pickford is able to claim the ball.

Everton take the lead, and no, it's not Lukaku for a change! It's Gueye, who nets his first goal for Everton. Coleman provided the assist, with the full-back's pass picking out the run of the midfielder and he made no mistake in lashing the ball into the net from inside the penalty area.

SHOT! Sunderland cannot afford to fall two goals behind before half time and it's only because of Pickford that they don't Barkley's strike from distance is heading into the net but the goalkeeper turns the ball behind.

WOODWORK! Everton come so close to a second. Davies's shot from 20 yards gets the better of Pickford but it clatters into the post. Sunderland are somehow still only the one goal adrift!

The half-time whistle goes at Goodison Park and Everton lead thanks to that goal from Gueye. Sunderland were getting back into the game at that stage but Everton deserve to be ahead and probably feel that they should have at least doubled their advantage.

We are back underway. There doesn't appear to be any changes. They won't last much longer should Sunderland continue to have less than 30% of the ball.

Sunderland seem to have been told just that. They are straight onto the attack in this second half and win a corner after Borini and Defoe combine. From the resulting set piece, Defoe saw a shot blocked by a defender.

This has been a fantastic start to the second half from the visitors. They force another corner and Jones manages to meet it, but it is deflected wide for another set piece.

Still no more chances to speak of but it is still Sunderland who are in the ascendancy. Moyes hasn't got a whole lot on the bench so he may decide to stick with this setup if they remain within a goal. Everton just haven't got going in this second half.

Both sides win a corner within quick succession but neither come to much. Lookman almost got a look at goal, but his shot hit the first man.

SUBSTITUTION! Koeman has seen enough and choose to withdraw Lookman for Kevin Mirallas.

Don't worry, Sunderland fans, I'm not speaking too soon but your defence is doing a fine job in nullify the threat offered by Lukaku. He's yet to have a meaningful effort on goal. That said, Everton are also showing that they are more than a one-man team.

Everton haven't got complacent but Sunderland are showing that they are more than capable when they decide to perform. There are always question marks over Moyes's future at the Stadium of Light but this group of players are definitely playing for him.

SUBSTITUTION! Another change for Everton with Enner Valencia being introduced for Davies. That will see Barkley takes his place in the centre.

LATEST! Some big goals being scored in the Premier League. Hull have taken the lead against Burnley - which is bad news for Sunderland - but Chelsea have regained the advantage against Swansea, which is a positive for Moyes.

SHOT! Finally, a chance for Lukaku! The Belgian gets the ball on the edge of the penalty area but his shot is well saved by Pickford.

CHANCE! They've been in a 30-minute lull since the restart but we are now beginning to see the Everton of the first half. It's Lukaku again but Pickford comes to Sunderland's rescue with another solid stop.

CHANCE! So close for Sunderland! The Black Cats broke in number and it ended with Defoe hitting the underside of the crossbar before the ball bounced clear. There's been a second goal, however...

Game over. After Sunderland hit the bar, Everton break in numbers themselves and it's left to Lukaku to go head to head with Oviedo. The Belgian striker is faster than his former teammate and when it comes to taking a shot, his effort deflects off the defender to help it past Pickford.

There has been a number of substitutions but I don't think they are going to have any bearing on this match. Everton are going nine games unbeaten and in the modern-day Premier League, that's some achievement.

SAVE! With Sunderland throwing men forward, there is more and more space for Everton in the final third and Valencia almost takes full advantage. However, Pickford once again manages to save a shot. It's been a fine showing from him after two months out.

There will be four minutes of added-on time.

The full-time whistle goes at Goodison Park and Everton have got another three points on the board in the Premier League. Goals from Gueye and Lukaku proved enough to overcome a resolute Sunderland side, who remain at the foot of the table.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope that you can stick around for the match between Watford and West Ham United which is starting in just over half-an-hour. Goodbye for now.