May 11, 2016 at 7.45pm UK at ​Stadium of Light
Sunderland
3-0
Everton
van Aanholt (38'), Kone (42', 55')
Cattermole (67')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Sam Allardyce pleased with Sunderland progression

Sam Allardyce gestures with his face during the Premier League match between Southampton and Sunderland at St Mary's Stadium on March 5, 2016
© Getty Images
Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce says that his team have become "difficult to beat" after leading the Black Cats to safety in the Premier League.

Sam Allardyce has claimed that Sunderland have 'come a long way' in 2016 and made themselves into a team that has become "difficult to beat".

The Black Cats have flirted with the relegation zone for much of the season, but Wednesday's 3-0 win over Everton secured survival in the Premier League and relegated Newcastle United and Norwich City in the process.

Allardyce also revealed that he is desperate to remain in charge at the Stadium of Light as he looks to boost the squad once again in the summer transfer window.

"If you back to November, Everton 6-2 Sunderland, it shows how far we have come," Allardyce told Sky Sports News. "There were a long few months winter months, we got players in January and turned into a team from January onwards. We became a team that was difficult to beat, who did not like losing and continued the run constantly for the last few months.

"The Norwich result was the big one we needed. We got close, there was a slip-up and then I think the performance against Chelsea, the comeback, gave us momentum to win this game against Everton.

"I hope I am here next season. We have just secured the financial side of being in the Premier League which was most important this season. What that gives us in terms of spending power, it is the same for everybody. It is about how wise we spend it, find players we need, like we did in January."

Patrick van Aanholt opened the scoring against Everton, before centre-back Lamine Kone hit a brace to make it a comfortable night for the Black Cats.

Jermain Defoe celebrates with Patrick van Aanholt during the Premier League game between Southampton and Sunderland on March 5, 2016
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLeicester CityLeicester382312368363281
2Arsenal382011765362971
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs381913669353470
4Manchester CityMan City381991071413066
5Southampton381891159411863
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd371891046341263
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham381614865511462
8Liverpool3816121063501360
9Stoke CityStoke38149154155-1451
10Chelsea381214125953650
11Everton381114135955447
12Swansea CitySwansea381211154252-1047
13Watford38129174050-1045
14West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381013153448-1443
15Crystal Palace38119183951-1242
16Bournemouth37119174464-2042
17Sunderland38912174862-1439
RNewcastle UnitedNewcastle38910194465-2137
RNorwich CityNorwich3897223967-2834
RAston Villa3838272776-4917