Jordan Pickford 6

While the Everton defence in front of him has creaked at times and he’s had to use his feet to good effect on several occasions, there have been no saves to make so far against his former club.

Jake O’Brien 5

Is having a bit of a difficult time against some of Sunderland’s attackers and had to be bailed out by James Tarkowski when losing possession in a dangerous area.

Vitalii Mykolenko 5

Has had to make a couple of nervy clearances and when he did get forward, he put three crosses into the Sunderland area in quick succession – the first two on his weaker right foot – but failed to find a blue shirt with any.

James Tarkowski 7

Everton’s most convincing defender so far, he’s leading by example at the back, reading the game well, even if others aren’t, he also tested Roefs with a back header from close range.

Michael Keane 6

Looking to play the ball out from defence on several occasions, although he and Mykolenko have had a couple of jittery moments.

Tim Iroegbunam 6

Picked up the first booking of the day for catching Reinildo Mandava, he’s been buzzing around but has been unable to find much control.

James Garner 7

Pushing and prompting, he looks the most likely player to create a telling pass while he also tested Roefs from distance with a shot that was well-struck but straight at the keeper.

Merlin Rohl 7

Impressed with a burst up the right wing followed by an inviting cross to Beto and then made the breakthrough with a left-foot shot that while on target – and awarded to him by the stadium announcer – will probably go down as an own goal by Granit Xhaka after a change of direction after hitting the Sunderland captain en route.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 5

Trying to rev up Everton when pushing forwards from deep, it’s been something of a Crystal Palace hangover so far though with the timing of his passing not on point, with a lofted left-wing cross to Beto late in the half proving difficult for the striker to get a good connection.

Iliman Ndiaye 5

Similar to Dewsbury-Hall, carrying on from Selhurst Park, he’s been rather flat and on the periphery of proceedings, when Everton are relying on the pair for a spark of inspiration.

Beto 5

Poor first touch from a Rohl cross squandered an early chance and while he’s producing the usual pressing, not much has stuck.