Everton’s penalty shoot-out victory over holders Chelsea in last Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round replay at Stamford Bridge provided the Toffees with the timeliest of boosts their difficult spell both on and off the pitch looked set to continue.

Manager David Moyes had branded his side’s performance in 2-0 defeat at Bolton two weekends ago “one of the worst” of his nine-year managerial tenure at Goodison Park.

And injuries to striker Louis Saha and influential midfielder Jack Rodwell left morale so low that club captain Phil Neville described the Stamford Bridge triumph as a season-saver.

Neville said after the dismal display at the Reebok that Everton were “in a real dogfight,” while Moyes claimed: “Players who have been performing well all season probably had their poorest game.

Everton host Sunderland in the EPL this Saturday afternoon and they are hopeful that a midweek without a game will facilitate the recover from injury of Saha and top scorer Tim Cahill.

Saha has been out with a hamstring strain since his four-goal haul against Blackpool at the start of the month, while Cahill limped out of the Chelsea match after 70 minutes with an ankle problem.

But staff at Everton’s training ground told the Liverpool Daily Post newspaper that they were hopeful both players would be available this weekend.

Everton welcome Championship outfit Reading to Goodison next Tuesday for an FA Cup fifth round meeting.

The winners will visit the winners of Manchester City’s home tie against Aston Villa, also on Tuesday.