The Wearsiders can have no complaints about the result with their opponents bossing proceedings from start to finish.
Any thoughts that Everton might take their foot off the gas with one eye on the forthcoming FA Cup Final were soon dispelled as David Moyes' side looked positive from the outset.
The hosts, on the other hand, had a nervy start and never really looked likely to put Everton under a sustained spell of pressure.
That allowed the visitors to dictate the pace of the game and in the end they cruised to a comfortable victory.
Everton did not pull up any trees in the first half, but they never had to with Sunderland pedestrian in comparison.
It was a frustrating afternoon for the Black Cats and their supporters, who booed the side from the field at half-time.
If the first half had been far from easily on the eye for the red and white faithful, then things took a turn for the worse after the break.
Everton continued to press and were awarded as they broke the deadlock on 48 minutes.
On-loan striker Jo did well to put in Steven Pienaar and the South African calmly slotted the ball past Marton Fulop in the Sunderland goal.
Any hopes off a fightback from the home side were quashed as the Black Cats failed to test Tim Howard in the away goal, apart from a Steed Malbranque effort which was down to luck more than anything else.
Things got worse for the hosts when Marouane Fellaini made it 2-0 on 71 minutes.
The midfielder was allowed to ghost into the 18-yard box and coolly finished as Pienaar's cross found him in acres of space.
The Wearsiders did up the tempo after that but it was far too little far too late.
They did have a shout for a penalty late on as Kenwyne Jones was fouled by Joseph Yobo but the referee waved away their half-hearted appeals.
Had the decision gone their way it would have been little more than a consolation.
Not that there was any consoling the home crowed, who made their feeling quite clear at full-time.
The result sees Everton move up to fifth place, while Ricky Sbragia's side continue to be mired in the relegation fight.