After Kieran Richardson had given away possession inside his own half, the ball found its way to Fellaini on the left flank whose cross was glanced into the goal by the unmarked Cahill from eight yards.

Television replays suggested there was a hint of offside but the flag remained down, the Australian notching only his third league goal of the campaign.

The lead was doubled on 19 minutes with another simple goal. Cahill was the provider, rising above Matthew Kilgallon to head down a long diagonal pass from Leighton Baines into the path of Donovan, the American given the space to steady himself before firing left-footed into the bottom corner beyond Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

In a matter of weeks, Donovan has already shown greater appetite and application than fellow loan ranger Jo managed in almost six months before the Brazilian was shipped back to Manchester City last week.

Employed on the right flank, the American offers a genuine outlet with his pace and close control and his natural goal-scoring instinct marks him out as a danger in the box.

And although his deal is initially only for 10 weeks, Donovan is making a compelling case for Moyes to pursue that stay to be extended.

With Everton threatening with every attack, Osman tip-toed his way into a similar position to the one from which he scored on Saturday, but Gordon was equal to his curling effort.

The keeper was then asked to save down low to his left by a driven Baines free-kick as Everton exerted almost total control, Sunderland offering nothing until substitute Kenwyne Jones – on for the stricken Kieran Richardson – couldn’t connect with a presentable Boudewijn Zenden cross in injury time.

Osman skied over from range as Everton began the second half again in the ascendancy, the hopeless Sunderland defence having to resort to kicking and shirt-pulling to keep the marauding home side at bay.

Donovan should have had a second on 57 minutes when released by Cahill but, after taking the ball around Gordon, the American’s effort was brilliantly cleared off the line by George McCartney.

Less than a minute later, it was the turn of John Mensah to save Sunderland, the centre-back making an excellent tackle on Louis Saha after the striker had been sent racing clear by Steven Pienaar.

Although Everton eased up on their intensity during the final quarter, Sunderland lacked the gumption to take advantage, although Zenden solicited a fine save from Tim Howard with two minutes remaining.

A poor effort moments later from Jones prompted Everton’s fans – and then Sunderland’s – to urge Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez to sign him up. Clearly, the smiles are back at Goodison.