Strikerless Everton have done it again, and as I hoped earlier this month we have managed to get 7 points so far from the 9 I was expecting from the games against Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Sunderland with Hull still to come before we hit a difficult period of fixtures.

Everton made light work of a Sunderland side that had shown some improvement in recent weeks following the departure of Roy Keane. Everton exerted near total domination from start to finish with Mikel Arteta again magnificant in his pivotal central role. Mikel has grown and grown in stature since his return to his favoured position, and this was the game when he got back on the goal trail.

Sunderland simply gave away far too many un-necessary free kicks away around the 18 yard area and Arteta made them pay. His first inside 10 minutes with a powerful free kick that blasted through the holes that were evident all through the Sunderland wall, the keeper getting a touch but the power took it through for the first goal that Sunderland have conceded in the first 15 mins of any game this season, only Man Utd have that record remaining now.

Arteta visibly grew even more after his goal, and it was not long before he was on target again. Steed Malbranque the culprit of the foul this time on Pienaar. Arteta stepped up, but his again powerful shot hit the wall and came straight back at him. He hit the ball on the volley, it took a wicked deflection past the despairing keeper and into the Gwladys Street.

Everton then weathered the odd sporadic attack from a Sunderland team that where being overrun in midfield with the all-action, all-tackling superstar Arteta seemingly involved in everything that happened on the football pitch.

Dan Gosling was introduced in the second half for Leon Osman, and after his excellent display against ‘Boro, he picked up where he left off making a mazy run at the defence before being bundled to the ground just outside the area. Arteta did not convert this chance to claim his hat-trick. Then after good play on the left, again from Arteta, who played in Lescott who’s cross-come-shot found its way to Gosling, who although there was a hint of off-side guided the ball cleanly into the net for his first senior Everton goal.

Phil Neville almost made it 4 after shouts of ‘SHOOOT’ from the Park End. The midfielder let rip with and awesome shot that just went inches over that bar.

Another positive for Everton in the game was the late return to action of Victor Anichebe, who actually finished the game with a striking partner in Lukas Jutkiewicz.

So now off to the FA Cup and Macclesfield.

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