The encounter will be his 250th Barclays Premier League match in charge of the Toffees. The 45-year-old Glaswegian is one of the top flight's longest serving managers and last month penned a new five-year contract extension with the Merseyside club.

Boro manager Southgate, whose appreciation of Moyes will not stop him from plotting victory at Goodison Park, knows all about clubs that prefer stability.

fantastic job

Since appointing Bryan Robson in May 1994, Boro chairman Steve Gibson has sacked just one manager and the current occupant of the Riverside hot seat believes Everton should be applauded for backing their boss over the past six and a half years.

"It shows two things," said Southgate. "Firstly, that Everton is a really well-run club, both by David and by (chairman) Bill Kenwright and everybody on the board there - it's a very stable club.

"Secondly, it shows he's done a fantastic job over a period of five or six years. They are an example to us of consistent achievement, consistent performances and we know we will be in for a great game on Sunday."