The talk before the game was about departing Everton captain Seamus Coleman, who has said he will not be playing for the club next season after 17 seasons there.
Republic of Ireland full-back Coleman, 37, joined as a 20-year-old for only £60,000 from Irish side Sligo Rovers in 2009 and has gone on to become Everton’s leading appearance maker in the Premier League era.
He came on to a standing ovation as a substitute in the 88th minute for his 434th Toffees match, moving ahead of Dixie Dean and Leon Osman in 10th spot in the club’s all-time appearances list.
However, he could not inspire an Everton recovery as Sunderland added a third goal three minutes later, with the Toffees dropping to 12th and with their own European hopes all but ended.
Coleman then was given a guard of honour after the match by his team-mates, although a large number of home supporters and all the away fans had already left the ground.
“I arrived here as a 20-year-old boy from Sligo Rovers, just hoping to impress enough to even make one appearance for Everton,” said Coleman. “To go on and become captain and set a new club record for most Premier League appearances is something that back then was beyond my wildest dreams.
“After such a big decision to end my period as a player here, I will take some time to decide what comes next. The club and the manager have been brilliant with me and there is an opportunity to stay here in a coaching role, but I will take a break with my family, play the games for the Republic of Ireland over the summer and then decide what comes next for us.”
Everton play at relegation-threatened Tottenham on the final day but would need a large win and a number of results to go their way to have any chance of European football.