Everton 6-2 Sunderland: Kone Hat- Trick Sees Off Black Cats

A hat trick from Arouna Kone helped Everton see off Sunderland as a blistering second half displayed killed off the Black Cats comeback.

Sunderland started brightly and nearly took the lead inside three minutes. Good link up play between Fletcher and Defoe set the move up for Van Aanholt who was played in by Fletcher, but the Dutchman saw his effort crash against the post.

Ten minutes later Sunderland hit the post again. A quick counter attack by Van Aanholt led to Defoe’s shot being well saved and Johnson saw his follow up shot hit the post.

After seeing two shots hit the post, Sunderland found themselves a goal down on 19 minutes. A ball over the top found an unmarked Deulofeu who cut inside and scored via a deflection.

Everton began to dominate possession and they got a second goal on 31 minutes thanks to Arouna Kone. A one between Kone and Lukaku allowed Kone to get a shot away from just inside the box which curled beyond Pantilimon.

Sunderland nicked a goal back right on the stroke of half time through Defoe. A long ball from Coates found Defoe who flicked the ball over Mori before volleying past Howard.

Sunderland equalised on 50 minutes after excellent build up play down the left side. M’Vila started the move by finding Defoe, who laid the ball off to Van Aanholt who crossed for Fletcher to power his header into the bottom corner.

Sunderland’s parity only lasted five minutes as a Coates own goal put Everton back in front. Deulofeu’s cross looked like it was going to find Lukaku, but Coates stuck out a foot which deflected the ball past Pantilimon.

Lukaku made it four for Everton on the hour mark after Sunderland were caught short at the back. Johnson lost the ball in attack for Sunderland and one pass from Deulofeu cut the Black Cats defense open allowing Lukaku to round Pantilimon and score into the empty net.

Sunderland were caught again three minutes later in almost identical fashion. M’Vila lost the ball this time and Everton broke down the pitch again where Kone finished past Pantilimon.

Everton got a sixth as Arouna Kone completed his hat trick on 76 minutes. Lukaku’s cross was met by Kone after he wasn’t picked up by Coates and he headed past Pantilimon.

Sunderland should have scored a third late on as the introduction of Watmore seemed to spark a few more attacks. It was Watmore who had the best chance after being played through on goal but his attempted chip was saved by Howard.

Everton (4-2-3-1): Howard, Coleman, Oviedo (Galloway 25’), Stones, Mori, McCarthy, Barry, Barkley, Kone, Deulofeu (Mirallas 65’), Lukaku (Osman 78’).

Subs: Robles, Galloway, Gibson, Osman, Mirallas, Lennon, Naismith.

Goals: Deulofeu (19’) Kone (31’, 63’, 76’) Coates og (55’) Lukaku (60’)

Sunderland (3-5-2): Pantilimon, Jones, Yedlin (Larsson 63’), Brown, Coates, M’Vila, Cattermole (Rodwell 38’), Van Aanholt, Johnson, Fletcher (Watmore 75’), Defoe.

Subs: Mannone, Rodwell, Larsson, Gomez, Lens, Watmore, Graham.

Goals: Defoe (45+3) Fletcher (50’)