Talking Tactics: Everton (A) — “At Home In The Hill Dickinson!”

Sunderland returned to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the second time this season (following their FA Cup tie back in January) looking to replicate the result on the final away day of the 2025/2026 season. With the prospect of European football for next season quickly fading into the distance, Sunderland required a win to keep their hopes alive for the final day of the season. After a somewhat pedestrian first half performance, how did Régis Le Bris utilise his ‘finishers’ and tweak his tactical approach to turn the game around and leave just a glimmer of hope for Sunderland going into a final day shootout against Chelsea?

S underland lineup After a battling point against Manchester United in a game that Le Bris will feel aggrieved he didn’t walk away with all three points from, the fans were potentially expecting several more expansive changes to the side that drew the week prior, however in the end, only one change was made from that game. With a chance to impress following his return to fitness, the only change came in the form of Nilson Angulo, who replaced Chemsdine Talbi on the left wing, whilst the remainder of the side stayed intact. With Dan Ballard suspended for the remainder of the campaign, Omar Alderete and Nordi Mukiele partnered up in central defence with Lutsharel Geertruida retaining his place at right back following an impressive display against Manchester United.

Enzo Le Fée remained in the centre of the park, playing as the most advanced of the midfield trio of himself, Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki, whilst Trai Hume held his ‘hybrid’ position at right wing — although as we’ll touch on later, this was more a hybrid ‘floating’ role that allowed Sunderland’s shape to be fluid in possession. Everton lineup David Moyes was looking to provide Seamus Coleman with a positive result to crown his final home game for Everton, and with Idrissa Gueye ruled out due to injury, Moyes kept an unchanged eleven from the side that drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace the week prior. Merlin Röhl was kept in the team despite playing outside of his regular position in the centre in favour of a shift to the wing, whilst Beto lead the line and Iliman Ndiaye made up the front three for the hosts.

Coleman wasn’t awarded a token start, with Moyes keeping the same settled back four and Jake O’Brien shuffled across to the right side of defence, allowing mainstay pairing of Michael Keane and James Tarkowski to remain central. In midfield,James Garner paired with Tim Iroegbunam, whilst Kiernan Dewbury-Hall formed the tip of the spear in Moyes’ usual conservative 4-2-3-1 system. With Everton setting up in a similar way to that of Sunderland, Moyes prefers his team to work without the ball.