Ronald Koeman tells Everton not to be afraid of Sunderland

Both sides head into the third round fixture at Goodison Park out of form, with Sunderland without a win since beating Carlisle United on August 22.

For Koeman’s Everton, of which so much was expected after they spent big this summer including £30million on Jordan Pickford, their recent record is equally as poor.

Everton have lost their last four games and haven’t scored since August 24, a 1-1 draw away to Hajduk Split, their latest defeat a 4-0 hammering at Manchester United.

Under pressure Koeman hopes the game can spark an upturn in fortunes.

He said: “You can support but it is up to [the players] to make the right decisions and not be afraid.

“After going behind 1-0 [at Manchester United] we showed a different phase and that is the phase I like to see.

“We need to analyse the game but it is important to take the positives from Sunday and prepare ourselves for tonight.

“We now play four times in a row at home in different competitions, we need a feeling for a win and that will give the best confidence to the players.”

Club record signing Gylfi Sigurdsson insists Everton are “more than good enough” to turn around their form adding: “I think with the staff and the players we have, and the will within the team and the players, eventually we will turn this around.”