After last week's horror show at Anfield, Everton boss David Moyes was insisting his men put the hapless Wearsiders to the sword.
Everton took the lead with a comedy goal by Leon Osman after just four minutes. Gary Naysmith crossed for Simon Davies and James Beattie who both scuffed their shots but Osman still had time to fire past Kelvin Davis while his defence seemed happy to observe the goings on.
That one goal summed up Sunderland's entire season and the reason why they will be playing Championship football again next term.
Richard Wright was called into action in the 15th minute by Jon Stead's low shot and from the resulting corner Sunderland equalised when the former Blackburn striker sidefooted home from close range.
The Toffees went back into the lead in the 25th minute from stand-in captain Phil Neville's long throw. Kevin Kilbane challenged for the ball with two Sunderland defenders but it evaded them all and James McFadden capitalised as Gary Breen failed to mop up.
Caretaker manager Kevin Ball will be unimpressed to see the replay as the initial throw-in should have gone Sunderland's way.
Justin Hoyte almost handed Sunderland an unlikely lifeline ten minutes later. Wright flapped at a cross which landed at his feet but Joseph Yobo managed to head his effort away.
Sunderland got lucky early in the second half when McFadden headed a glorious opportunity against the underside of the bar. Everton's appeals for a goal were waved away to McFadden's disgust.
Stead wasted an opportunity to level the scores when the ball fell invitingly to him inside the box. However, Naysmith and Alan Stubbs combined to block his effort.
Sunderland did equalise in the 80th minute when Rory Delap rose highest to head home Dean Whitehead's right-wing cross.
The game opened up as Osman's run and cut-back found Neville but Davis saved from the former Manchester United player with an outstretched leg.
Duncan Ferguson's introduction four minutes from time signalled Everton's intent and he almost scored from his first touch. Tim Cahill then blew another chance as his free header was directed straight at the keeper.
Delap nearly snatched it for Sunderland with a long-range drive that struck the post. It was the Sunderland fans that were singing at the final whistle while the Toffees fans went home bewildered and feeling blue.