That's it - Everton deservedly take the points after a determined display. Sunderland worked hard throughout and almost snatched a point at the death after a piece of magic from Reid.
90
So close for Sunderland! Reid's free kick on the edge of the box looked to be heading for the top corner but Howard flung himself to tip the former Charlton man's effort wide.
89
Prica tries his luck from 25 yards but it's a poor shot. It looks all over for Sunderland here.
87
Substitution
Double substitution by Everton. Youngster Rodwell comes on for Cahill while Anichebe replaces Yakubu.
86
Jones blazes a right-footed shot wide from 25 yards. It was a tired effort.
84
Prica tries to direct a header on target by Howard saves easily. The game is slipping away from Sunderland.
81
Substitution
Pienaar comes off for Baines. It looks like the South African winger might be injured.
79
Penalty for Sunderland! But no, ref Wiley says Jones wasn't fouled by Lescott.
78
Yellow Card
Bardsley is booked for a foul on Pienaar.
77
Lovely play by Reid as he sends a reverse pass to Chopra but the former Cardiff striker shoots straight at Howard.
75
Substitution
Leadbitter is replaced by Prica. Defender for striker - Keane's going for it.
73
Nearly 2-0 to Everton as Cahill sends in a shot from the edge of the box after good work by Pienaar.
70
The game's slipping away from Sunderland here. Everton don't look particularly dangerous - but Sunderland look even less so.
67
Substitution
Reid comes on for Murphy. The Sunderland striker has played quite well but Keane must be hoping Reid can unlock the Everton defence.
66
Richardson tries his luck from the edge of the penalty area but his shot sails wide of the target.
63
Sunderland will have to be careful at the back. Johnson almost gets on the scoresheet again but his shot is blocked by Leadbitter.
60
Murphy puts over a decent cross but Neville is able to clear easily. Sunderland are trying but they need a goal here - and quickly.
56
Goal
Johnson coolly finishes in the six yard box after a pinpoint cross from Arteta.
54
A good shot by Leadbitter is blocked by Jagielka as Sunderland try and respond.
52
Gordon does well to palm out a 25 yard shot by Yakubu. Everton are pressing here.
51
Yellow Card
Cahill goes into the book after hacking down Bardsley.
49
First real chance for Sunderland as Murphy finds Jones but the striker blazes wide.
47
Good effort by Pienaar as he unleashes a vicious left-footed drive from 20 yards but Bardsley just manages to get the block in.
46
We're underway in the second half. Hopefully both teams can improve on a dour first 45.
46
Substitution
It looks like Roy Keane is switching to a 4-4-2 as Chopra comes on for Stokes at the start of the second half.
Half time
A scrappy first half ends 0-0 but Everton came so close to taking the lead late on. Sunderland have Stokes to thank for clearing Cahill's goal bound header off the line.
45
Everton almost take the lead at the end of the first half. Cahill's goal bound header from Arteta's corner was cleared off the line by Stokes.
43
Great chance for Sunderland! Stokes sends in a pinpoint cross for Jones and the striker's header goes just past the post.
42
Sunderland are finishing strongly here. A one-two between Murphy and Jones is just cleared in the box by Yobo.
39
Jones gets a good flick-on looking for Murphy but Howard does well to race off his line and snatch the ball.
36
Yellow Card
Whitehead is booked after a foul on Pienaar. It looked like the Sunderland man won the ball.
36
Excellent play by Murphy as he races down the right wing and finds Stokes but the Irishman's shot is blocked by Yobo.
33
Everton supporters scream for a free kick in the box as Nosworthy sends the ball back to Gordon and the £9m keeper picks it up. Ref Wiley waves play on.
30
Pienaar sends over a dangerous cross looking for Yakubu but Stokes gets back to clear for Sunderland.
28
Brilliant tackle by Bardsley. The pressure was building on the edge of the Sunderland box but the former Man Utd defender took charge and won the ball from Lescott.
26
Jones does well as he bursts forward for Sunderland but Jagielka clears.
24
Pienaar is brought down in the centre circle but Neville can only loft the free kick straight into Gordon's arms. This game badly needs a goal to up the tempo.
21
Arteta takes it and looks for Lescott but the ball drifts harmlessly wide.
20
Stokes needlessly fouls Pienaar on the edge of the box. Free kick to Everton in a dangerous position.
17
First corner of the game and it goes to Everton. Arteta takes it and finds Jagielka but the defender heads the ball straight at Gordon.
15
Richardson makes a quick break for the home side but he runs the ball out of play when he should've crossed earlier.
13
Everton boss David Moyes looks unhappy at his sides' start as he comes to the edge of the technical area to scream at his players.
11
Richardson sends over a dangerous cross into the Everton box but Cahill heads clear.
9
Collins sweeps a cross field pass looking for Leadbitter but Cahill intercepts.
7
Johnson, Neville and Hibbert combine well but the final ball into the Sunderland box is cut out by Gordon.
5
Yakubu does well to lay the ball off for Hibbert on the edge of the area but his whipped cross is headed clear by Nosworthy.
3
The game has got off to a slow start as both sides find their rhythm.
1
Referee Alan Wiley gets proceedings underway at the Stadium of Light and Jones makes an early break for goal but Jagielka does well to clear.
Awaiting Kickoff
Sunderland will be hoping for three points to pull further away from relegation danger while Everton will be looking for the win that will take them level on points with Merseyside rivals Liverpool in fourth place.
Everton striker Johnson and midfielder Arteta both return to the starting eleven following midweek UEFA Cup defeat at Fiorentina. Osman and Carsley make way.
Sunderland
Everton
Full time
That's it - Everton deservedly take the points after a determined display. Sunderland worked hard throughout and almost snatched a point at the death after a piece of magic from Reid.
So close for Sunderland! Reid's free kick on the edge of the box looked to be heading for the top corner but Howard flung himself to tip the former Charlton man's effort wide.
Prica tries his luck from 25 yards but it's a poor shot. It looks all over for Sunderland here.
Substitution
Double substitution by Everton. Youngster Rodwell comes on for Cahill while Anichebe replaces Yakubu.
Jones blazes a right-footed shot wide from 25 yards. It was a tired effort.
Prica tries to direct a header on target by Howard saves easily. The game is slipping away from Sunderland.
Substitution
Pienaar comes off for Baines. It looks like the South African winger might be injured.
Penalty for Sunderland! But no, ref Wiley says Jones wasn't fouled by Lescott.
Yellow Card
Bardsley is booked for a foul on Pienaar.
Lovely play by Reid as he sends a reverse pass to Chopra but the former Cardiff striker shoots straight at Howard.
Substitution
Leadbitter is replaced by Prica. Defender for striker - Keane's going for it.
Nearly 2-0 to Everton as Cahill sends in a shot from the edge of the box after good work by Pienaar.
The game's slipping away from Sunderland here. Everton don't look particularly dangerous - but Sunderland look even less so.
Substitution
Reid comes on for Murphy. The Sunderland striker has played quite well but Keane must be hoping Reid can unlock the Everton defence.
Richardson tries his luck from the edge of the penalty area but his shot sails wide of the target.
Sunderland will have to be careful at the back. Johnson almost gets on the scoresheet again but his shot is blocked by Leadbitter.
Murphy puts over a decent cross but Neville is able to clear easily. Sunderland are trying but they need a goal here - and quickly.
Goal
Johnson coolly finishes in the six yard box after a pinpoint cross from Arteta.
A good shot by Leadbitter is blocked by Jagielka as Sunderland try and respond.
Gordon does well to palm out a 25 yard shot by Yakubu. Everton are pressing here.
Yellow Card
Cahill goes into the book after hacking down Bardsley.
First real chance for Sunderland as Murphy finds Jones but the striker blazes wide.
Good effort by Pienaar as he unleashes a vicious left-footed drive from 20 yards but Bardsley just manages to get the block in.
We're underway in the second half. Hopefully both teams can improve on a dour first 45.
Substitution
It looks like Roy Keane is switching to a 4-4-2 as Chopra comes on for Stokes at the start of the second half.
Half time
A scrappy first half ends 0-0 but Everton came so close to taking the lead late on. Sunderland have Stokes to thank for clearing Cahill's goal bound header off the line.
Everton almost take the lead at the end of the first half. Cahill's goal bound header from Arteta's corner was cleared off the line by Stokes.
Great chance for Sunderland! Stokes sends in a pinpoint cross for Jones and the striker's header goes just past the post.
Sunderland are finishing strongly here. A one-two between Murphy and Jones is just cleared in the box by Yobo.
Jones gets a good flick-on looking for Murphy but Howard does well to race off his line and snatch the ball.
Yellow Card
Whitehead is booked after a foul on Pienaar. It looked like the Sunderland man won the ball.
Excellent play by Murphy as he races down the right wing and finds Stokes but the Irishman's shot is blocked by Yobo.
Everton supporters scream for a free kick in the box as Nosworthy sends the ball back to Gordon and the £9m keeper picks it up. Ref Wiley waves play on.
Pienaar sends over a dangerous cross looking for Yakubu but Stokes gets back to clear for Sunderland.
Brilliant tackle by Bardsley. The pressure was building on the edge of the Sunderland box but the former Man Utd defender took charge and won the ball from Lescott.
Jones does well as he bursts forward for Sunderland but Jagielka clears.
Pienaar is brought down in the centre circle but Neville can only loft the free kick straight into Gordon's arms. This game badly needs a goal to up the tempo.
Arteta takes it and looks for Lescott but the ball drifts harmlessly wide.
Stokes needlessly fouls Pienaar on the edge of the box. Free kick to Everton in a dangerous position.
First corner of the game and it goes to Everton. Arteta takes it and finds Jagielka but the defender heads the ball straight at Gordon.
Richardson makes a quick break for the home side but he runs the ball out of play when he should've crossed earlier.
Everton boss David Moyes looks unhappy at his sides' start as he comes to the edge of the technical area to scream at his players.
Richardson sends over a dangerous cross into the Everton box but Cahill heads clear.
Collins sweeps a cross field pass looking for Leadbitter but Cahill intercepts.
Johnson, Neville and Hibbert combine well but the final ball into the Sunderland box is cut out by Gordon.
Yakubu does well to lay the ball off for Hibbert on the edge of the area but his whipped cross is headed clear by Nosworthy.
The game has got off to a slow start as both sides find their rhythm.
Referee Alan Wiley gets proceedings underway at the Stadium of Light and Jones makes an early break for goal but Jagielka does well to clear.
Awaiting Kickoff
Sunderland will be hoping for three points to pull further away from relegation danger while Everton will be looking for the win that will take them level on points with Merseyside rivals Liverpool in fourth place.
Awaiting Kickoff
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Yobo, Lescott, Arteta, Neville, Cahill, Pienaar, Johnson, Yakubu
Awaiting Kickoff
Everton striker Johnson and midfielder Arteta both return to the starting eleven following midweek UEFA Cup defeat at Fiorentina. Osman and Carsley make way.
Awaiting Kickoff
Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Evans, Nosworthy, Collins, Richardson, Leadbitter, Whitehead, Stokes, Murphy, Jones
Awaiting Kickoff
Sunderland boss Roy Keane replaces Chopra with Stokes in attack, while Collins is recalled after suspension.