Steven Pienaar should have made it 4-0 as Gosling slipped him through on Fulop but the South African failed to take advantage.

You can tell the Everton players are enjoying themselves now as Phil Neville strides forward to hit one from long range that flashes just over the cross bar.

Now the home fans are able to relax and the atmosphere has improved in the aftermath of that goal and really the hosts have not had to get out of second gear for most of this one.

Arteta fizzes the ball into the feet of Anichebe and the striker flicks cleverly through for Gosling in behind but Fulop is out smartly to make a good one-on-one save.

Everton have been poor in this second half and should really have put this game out of sight as Sunderland have been there for the taking but if the Black Cats get one now then the nerves will surely set in.

Everton sense they need to up the tempo and Leon Osman, on his 150th Premier League appearance, turns on the edge of the box to hit a shot that slides just wide of the far post.

Between them RIchardson and Cisse make a complete hash of the free-kick and Everton are out of danger immediately.

Sunderland show some life in attack at last with Edwards jinking past two in midfield before trying his luck from 25 yards and forcing a decent diving stop from Howard.

The Black Cats are starting to take control of the midfield battle but Phil Jagielka, who as well as Tim Howard has played every minute of Everton's Premier League season so far, has been superb in the air when they launch it.

Kenwyne Jones can appear to have an effortless style but today he really does not look interested and you could probably count the number of touches for the man from Trinidad & Tobago on your hands.

The second half has really not got going at all and although Sunderland do look a lot more solid since the break they are still posing no attacking threat.

You would think with their team so on top at the break the Everton fans would be in brash mood but there is an uneasy atmosphere surrounding Goodison Park as if the fans are nervous about their poor home record.

Sunderland have got another problem now as Danny Coliins is suffering from a very bloody nose and is receiving treatment at the side of the pitch.

Everton have come out in a less gung-ho fashion as they try to secure the two-goal lead for the first few minutes after the break and Sunderland are seeing a bit of the ball at last.

Everton seem to be really enjoying this at the moment and who wouldn't? Sunderland are showing nothing in attack and it is has been a training exercise since Arteta's first goal.

Daryl Murphy, making his 100th league appearance for Sunderland today, looked very bright in the opening stages but he has been slowly forced further back towards his left-back as Everton push forward with wave after wave of attack.

The ball just keeps coming back into the Sunderland penalty area as Everton launch a siege to try and grab the third goal that would surely finish things off here at Goodison.

The Toffees are in cruise control and Sunderland are unable to get their foot on the ball in the middle of the park as the game continues to drift away from them.

Glorious chance! Mikel Arteta curls a superb ball, yet again, into the box and Cahill rises unmarked but he fails to keep his header under the bar when he really should have scored.

Malbranque is a little lucky to still be on the pitch as he slices down Baines again but referee Styles lets him off with just a warning.

Everton are well on top now and Sunderland appear to be struggling to stick with them and suddenly visions of last season's 7-1 defeat here must be returning for Black Cats fans.

Out of the blue comes a horrible mistake from Collins as he lets the ball run for Fulop but Fellaini is alive to it and only a superb sliding block from Richardson prevents Everton taking a 2-0 lead.

Everton look dangerous whenever they attack despite lacking an orthodox striker with Cahill and Fellaini forging a decent understanding in the attacking third. The game has hit a bit of a lull though in the last ten minutes or so.

Sunderland did begin brightly but they have dropped the pace and seem to be struggling to impose themselves now - perhaps because arguably their best midfielder, Kieran Richardson, is being employed at left-back.

The Arteta goal has really settled Everton down as they look to have found a comfortable rhythm and they are enjoying playing the ball around in the midfield with ease.

Chance missed for Everton! Baines advances down the left flank to lift a ball into the box that Fellaine, as ever, is first to and Cahill pounces on his knock down but can only fire straight at Fulop.

Everton are starting to find their stride but they do have the worst home record in the Premier League ahead of this game so anything could yet happen.

Everton are keeping the ball well but have lacked any great penetration in the opening stages with Sunderland looking more threatening on the break with the pace of Cisse.

The visitors have made a decent start here and Daryl Murphy is already causing a couple of problems for Tony HIbbert.

An early half chance for Sunderland as Cisse bursts past Jagielka but the nagle is too tight for him and his shot in the end is easy for Howard to collect.