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Everton moved into fifth place in the Premier League with a 2-0 win away against a desperately disappointing Sunderland side.

Steven Pienaar (pictured) and Marouane Fellaini scored second-half goals as David Moyes's side eased past the Black Cats, who remain in real relegation trouble.

Sunderland have won only one of their last 10 matches and looked bereft of confidence.

They were not helped by the crowd at the Stadium of Light which, while 41,000-strong, was never slow to voice its frustration.

It showed the Teesside public's lack of faith in their team's attacking efforts that the second goal on 71 minutes prompted a mass exodus of fans.

Such pessimism was well-founded; Sunderland have averaged less than a goal a game in the Premier League and last scored twice against Stoke at the Stadium of Light on February 7.

Striker Djibril Cisse looked totally uninterested and was replaced by the equally ineffective David Healy just after the hour, while Kenwyne Jones provided more perspiration than inspiration.

The first half was an atrocious spectacle in which any semblance of goalmouth action was replaced by a series of cynical fouls and minor injuries.

First Tim Cahill and Steed Malbranque clashed heads, leading the latter's pate to be treated with a white paste which, from a distance, looked like a giant bald spot.

Next it was Anton Ferdinand's turn to hit the deck after tangling with Jo, then Tim Howard, Jo himself and Danny Collins added their names to a lengthy list of walking wounded, although none had to come off.

As far attacking play, Everton supplied most of that. Cahill struck a long shot straight at Marton Fulop, while the Sunderland keeper did well to punch a Cahill header clear.

Calum Davenport and Grand Leadbitter picked up near-identical bookings for pulling back opponents by their shirts and the latter was lucky not to see a second yellow card for a tackle on Fellaini.

Pienaar was the best player on the pitch by a distance and it was apt that he scored the opener three minutes into the second period.

The South African made a clever run to latch on to Jo's through-ball and took a touch before placing the ball through the legs of Fulop.

The goal prompted Sunderland into their best spell of the game, although the closest they came was with a Collins header straight at Howard.

Fellaini finished the hosts off on 71 minutes, when Sunderland failed to cut out a low Pienaar cross from the right and the Belgian midfielder tucked his shot into the bottom-left corner.

As the crowd headed for the car park, Sunderland offered no hope of a dramatic comeback save for a moment when Joseph Yobo tangled with Jones as he ran towards goal.

It was dismal stuff and it leaves Ricky Sbragia's side on 35 points, four clear of the relegation zone.

On this form, Sunderland's only hope of survival is the equally desperate form of the teams below them.

Alex Chick / Eurosport