David Moyes' search for a first Premier League win as Sunderland boss will have an added element of intrigue on Monday night when his revamped squad face Everton -- the scene of his most impressive period as a manager -- at the Stadium of Light.
The meeting comes only four months after Sam Allardyce completed Sunderland's latest escape act with a 3-0 home win against the same opponents, a result that owed much to immense contributions at both ends of the pitch from Lamine Kone.
The Ivory Coast centre-back is a player rated highly by both clubs and on that night he was a tower of strength in defence, as he has been since joining from Ligue 1 club Lorient in January.