Same Allardyce reacts after steering Sunderland away from relegation Same Allardyce reacts after steering Sunderland away from relegation

Sam Allardyce praised Sunderland's ability to cope with pressure after they avoided relegation with an assured 3-0 victory over Everton.

After Saturday's stunning 3-2 win over Chelsea, the Black Cats went into Wednesday's game at the Stadium of Light knowing victory would guarantee top-flight football for another season.

They rose to the occasion as goals from Patrick van Aanholt and Lamine Kone in four first-half minutes all-but secured safety, before Kone made sure of the win 10 minutes after the break.

And Allardyce, who felt his side should have scored more, claimed the performance typified a "miraculous" run of form that had guided the Black Cats to the cusp of safety.

"Everyone wanted us to perform like we did against Chelsea and we did that better today because we didn't fall behind," Allardyce told Sky Sports.

Watch Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce dance for the fans after the club survived relegation Watch Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce dance for the fans after the club survived relegation

"We scored three goals and it should have been five or six, that says everything about us today.

"We were defensively sound and the front lads [were good] despite us getting three goals from set pieces - we should have had more.

"The attitude of the players, who absorbed the pressure and delivered a performance like that, got us out of trouble. That's what happened over the last 10 games, we've only had one defeat and we've picked points up.

Watch the three goals that saved Sunderland from relegation Watch the three goals that saved Sunderland from relegation

"The draws we got eventually turned into wins and that's led to us to getting safe with one game to go. That's pretty miraculous and there is no way I wanted to go to Watford needing something."

Wednesday's victory was of stark contrast to the corresponding fixture between the two sides, where Allardyce - three games into his tenure at the club - slipped to a 6-2 defeat.

Fast forward six months and Allardyce has become the latest Sunderland manager to avoid the drop, an achievement he feels speaks volumes of the progress that has occurred under his tutelage.

Newcastle were consigned to the Championship following Sunderland's win Newcastle were consigned to the Championship following Sunderland's win

"If you go back to our 6-2 defeat at Everton in that shows how far we've come," he added. "It has been a long few months, particularly until I could bring in players in January.

"We turned into a team from January, we were difficult to beat and a team that didn't like losing again. The performance against Chelsea and the comeback has given us the momentum to win this game.

"The way we beat Chelsea was something we hadn't done this season and that gave the players a lot more confidence."

Patrick van Aanholt scores from a free kick at the Stadium of light

For Allardyce, thoughts now turn to masterminding the next step in Sunderland's progression away from a relegation-threatened side.

"We've just secured the financial side of being in the Premier League which is the most important his season," he said.

"What that gives us in terms of spending power is the same as everybody, so it comes down to how wise we spend it.

"The next set of recruitment is crucial because this football club cannot be doing a lap of honour by avoiding relegation again."