Sam Allardyce has praised his Sunderland side's miraculous recovery after they secured their Premier League survival with their 3-0 win over Everton. 

Another great escape

Sunderland went into the game with Roberto Martinez's side just a point above the drop, but knew victory over the Toffees would seal survival and relegate both Newcastle United and Norwich City

The Black Cats managed to secure their 10th consecutive top-flight season in style, with a Patrick van Aanholt goal and a Lamine Kone brace securing the three points and Allardyce was full of praise for his players after the game. 

He told the media post-match that the teams improvement has been "outstanding" since the "grim dark days of December," when Allardyce said the "only chance" that the side had was to get "new players in". 

Allardyce continued, saying that this has "proven the case," with January signings making a big impact, before adding that the last two matches have brought him "great joy and satisfaction". 

Allardyce said the job has been a "test" both on and off the field and believes the side have come through it "stronger and stronger". 

Advocaat's wise words 

Allardyce was brought to Wearside back in early October in place of Dick Advocaat, who was the hero of the previous season's escape act. 

The Dutchman ultimately failed to pull off the same trick twice, failing to win in the first nine matches of the season, and Allardyce revealed that Advocaat's comments that Sunderland were doomed to the drop drove the side to safety. 

Allardyce said that his comments provided a "challenge" for him coming into the club, but he said that he used it as "motivation for the players" and that they have gone on and "proved him wrong," which is certainly "satisfying for the players". 

Above: Sam Allardyce revealed that the words of former Sunderland coach Dick Advocaat motivated them to safety | Photo: premierleague.com
Sam Allardyce said that the words of former Sunderland coach Dick Advocaat (above) motivated them to safety. | Photo: Premier League

Sunderland will finish their season at Vicarage Road on Sunday, facing Watford with kick-off at 3pm BST. 

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About the author
Danial  Kennedy
Award-winning sports journalism graduate. Currently studying a PR Masters at the University of Sunderland. Writing for VAVEL since August 2014. Twitter - @ddkjournalism.