Sunderland defender Jan Kirchoff has compared his side surviving in the Premier League, after a 3-0 win over Everton secured their top flight status tonight, to winning the title.
Everton kept the ball well in the early stages, but it was still Sunderland who looked the more likely to make the breakthrough and they did so in the 38th minute.
Patrick van Aanholt was the goalscorer, firing a free kick from the edge of the box which went through the wall and beat Everton goalkeeper Joel Robles.
No sooner had Everton had chance to adjust to being behind than it was 2-0, Lamine Kone lashing the ball into the roof of the net in the 42nd minute after the Toffees failed to properly clear from a corner kick.
Any thoughts of an Everton comeback in the second half were quickly snuffed out as Sunderland had their second in the 55th minute, Kone scoring again.
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Robles pushed the ball out following a ball from Wahbi Khazri and Kone was on hand to convert from close range.
Everton were comfortably beaten and Sunderland, amidst a euphoric atmosphere, secured their Premier League status, relegating Newcastle United and Norwich City in the process.
For Kirchoff, Sunderland surviving in the Premier League is a superb achievement.
He said on Sky Sports following the final whistle: "It's really nice.
"It's like winning a title. It's really unbelievable.
"We were going through a really dangerous and difficult situation", Kirchoff continued.
"We had it in our hands and we made a really good performance tonight, winning this game and staying in the league."
