Sunderland vs Everton. Premier League.
Stadium of LightAttendance46,454.
Thursday 12 May 2016 09:25, UK
Sunderland secured their Premier League status with a 3-0 victory over Everton on Wednesday, relegating Newcastle and Norwich in the process.
Knowing victory at the Stadium of Light would guarantee top-flight football for another season, the Black Cats took control of their destiny in four devastating first-half minutes as Patrick van Aanholt (38) and Lamine Kone (42) saw them 2-0 ahead at the interval.
Kone added his second on 55 minutes to guarantee three points against an Everton side who, having been swept aside by champions Leicester on Saturday, rarely threatened to extend the race for survival to the final day of the season.
The result means Sunderland seal a tenth-successive season in the Premier League at the expense of their North-East rivals Newcastle, and Norwich, who drop into the Championship despite beating Watford 4-2.
The pressure riding on Wednesday's game clearly effected the hosts early on as they frantically looked to exert themselves on the Toffees.
Such was their desire to employ a high pressing game that they were almost caught out as Matthew Pennington flashed a header wide on 13 minutes. And news of Norwich taking the lead against Watford added to the tension on Wearside.
Younes Kaboul created Sunderland's first clear chance but, having done so well to carry the ball into the opposition area, he lashed a curling effort inches wide.
There was no cause for concern, though, as it was left to two of Kaboul's defensive partners to move the Black Cats to within touching distance of safety.
First Van Aanholt settled the nerves, sending a free-kick around the wall and beyond Joel Robles, who should have done better with the tame set piece.
The Everton goalkeeper atoned for his error by thwarting Jermain Defoe's forceful header shortly after but he was helpless with Sunderland's second as Kone crashed home a thunderous effort from close range.
Pennington had an early chance for the visitors two minutes after the restart but Everton's defensive frailties - that have marred their season - soon reared their head again as the hosts were presented with a string of chances to wrap up the victory.
Defoe was played onside by John Stones and only a last-gasp clearance on the goalline prevented his chipped effort from making it 3-0.
But Everton's reprieve was short-lived as, from the resulting corner where Wahbi Khazri almost scored directly, Kone was on hand to sweep the ball home from close range to seal the first double of his 10-year professional career.
Khazri and Defoe then got their wires crossed on 58 minutes as Sunderland missed the chance to make it four, before Defoe was denied by Robles again on 66 minutes.
Sunderland sat back from there on, content on defending their lead and top-flight status.
A late Everton surge, which saw Romelu Lukaku rattled Vito Mannone's woodwork, was the closest the visitors came to a consolation as the Black Cats completed their annual escape act with ease.
Player ratings
Sunderland: Mannone (8), Yedlin (7), Van Aanholt (8), Kaboul (8), Kone (9), Kirchhoff (9), Cattermole (7), M'Vila (6), Borini (6), Khazri (8), Defoe (7).
Used subs: Larsson (5), O'Shea (5), Watmore (5).
Everton: Robles (5), Stones (5), Pennington (6), Funes Mori (5), Baines (6), McCarthy (6), Barry (6), Mirallas (5), Barkley (5), Cleverley (7), Lukaku (5).
Used subs: Lennon (5), Osman (5).
Man of the Match: Lamine Kone.
