A beleaguered Everton ensured Sunderland’s Premier League status for another season as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat.

In the latest humiliation for the Blues, following last weekend’s hammering at Leicester, a quick-fire double from Black Cats duo Patrick Van Aanholt and Lamine Kone just before half time  put paid to Roberto Martinez’s hopes of arresting a worrying slump in form.

Kone sealed the deal early in the second half for Sunderland, doubling his tally on the evening following another howler from Everton goalkeeper Joel Robles.

Here were  the main talking points from a chastening night on Wearside…

No more excuses – Martinez must go

Back in November, Everton defeated this very same Sunderland team 6-2 at Goodison Park. Fast forward six months, and the picture is remarkably different.

Make no mistake about it, tonight’s game was as one-sided as it gets, with Roberto Martinez’s men second best in just about every department.

The under-fire Spaniard demanded a response following heavy away defeats against Liverpool and Leicester City but, if anything, things are quickly getting worse and Everton now look like relegation fodder.

Following on from recent fan protests over Martinez’s role at the club, tomorrow night’s End of Season Awards ceremony is likely to be the scene of further supporter demonstrations, with Sunday’s final game of the season against Norwich likely to follow suit..

The Blues board would be best served putting the bewildered Catalan out of his misery before Sunday’s curtain call, otherwise it could get truly messy for all concerned.

Summer revolution must be order of business

What next for a club in such disarray, then?

Last summer, it seemed like evolution, not revolution, was the order of the day as far as Everton were concerned, but now you’d argue that the opposite is the case. Revolution; wide-scale changes at board and managerial level, is now a must, and the club’s very future depending on it.

Before the start of the season, some associated with Everton heralded this group of players as the best Goodison Park had witnessed since the 1980’s.

Not a chance.

A forlorn Ross Barkley was substituted at half-time after yet another below-par showing, Romelu Lukaku cut a disinterested figure up front and John Stones toiled in defence. If Everton’s players were attempting to send a message to the board over the fate of their manager, it could not have been clearer.

Add to that the need to replace departing veterans such as Osman, Hibbert, Howard and Pienaar, and the Blues face a monumental fight to generate new-found momentum ahead of next season.

Robles errors highlight need for new keeper

Joel Robles has been an able stop-gap for the Toffees as Tim Howard’s time on Merseyside draws to a close, but the Spaniard was responsible for two of Sunderland’s goals here and will no doubt struggle to retain the number one jersey next season.

Long-term first-choice ‘keeper Howard’s impending summer move to MLS side Colorado Rapids means whoever is in charge over the close season will inevitably be in the market for a new stopper to rival the former Wigan goalie.

A string of top quality replacements, including French international Steve Mandanda and Arsenal custodian David Ospina, are rumoured to be on the Toffees’ shortlist.

On this evidence, Robles- so long Howard’s deputy- could well find himself on the sidelines yet again.

Martinez stalwarts fighting for their futures

For the second time in less than a week, the Blues meekly accepted their place as bridesmaids. It was as spineless at it gets, and a further nail in Martinez’s coffin.

But what can be made of the utterly underwhelming performances of some of his charges?

The team unit has shown a remarkable lack of backbone over the past few months, with the likes of James McCarthy, Ramiro Funes Mori and Tom Cleverley again flattering to deceive here.

With new backer Farhad Moshiri reportedly ready to invest heavily this summer, some of Martinez’s favourites, such as the aforementioned trio, should be looking anxiously over their shoulders as high quality reinforcements are targeted.

Quite simply; they’re now fighting for their Goodison futures.