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The School of Science is on its way back, chanted the away end long after the final whistle.

Roberto Martinez’s star pupils might have needed a little help with their studies lately; three opposition own goals in their last three games is testament to that.

But they certainly passed a tough test in the white-heat of a howling Stadium of Light, against hosts hell-bent on clinging to their fragile Premier League status.

And those gleeful travelling Toffees didn’t care how the points came; just that they were secured eventually and after so much talk about fourth place that is exactly where Everton currently sit.

Read More: Tim Howard - we're up for fourth place fight

It’s a symbolic moment for Martinez’s men. It’s theirs to lose now.

They are in pole position and they seem in no mood to end their record winning streak.

Seven consecutive triumphs, the best triumphant run since the title season of 1987, has given the Blues’ dressing room genuine belief that they can go the distance in their sprint finish with Arsenal.

Everton’s manager claimed this clash had the potential to be the toughest of his side’s run-in.

That’s debatable, especially with both Manchester clubs on the horizon, but certainly few will match the frenzied intensity of Sunderland who could see their hopes of survival ebbing away on Saturday, and duly flung everything at the Blues.

They were bombarded. They had to rely on every inch of the inexhaustible resilience of young marauders like John Stones and James McCarthy, but they stood firm and in doing so proved a point to themselves.

As Tim Howard said afterwards, the Blues know they can play with style and finesse but here they reminded everyone they can do things the hard way too.

The breakthrough didn’t come during a first half they largely dominated with flashes of their trademark slick football.

But they stuck at it and refused to lose either heart or mind as the clock ticked down with the Black Cats really going for it.

It’s not going to be easy to stay where they are, but Everton’s display in the North East suggested they have the stomach for the fight.

It meant another barrier broken for Martinez too; this setting a new record points tally in the Premier League with five games remaining, and amid all the talk of edging ahead of Arsenal, it’s impossible not to notice that the gap between the Blues and the clubs in the other three places is shrinking rapidly.

Steven Naismith, the man who gave Martinez his first league win last year with that Goodison header against Chelsea, was rightly given a starting spot and showed the confidence which has galvanised him as he has been given time in a role that suits him. The smart turn which left his marker stranded and presented him with the best chance of the game was a moment of class, but unfortunately he couldn’t match it with an equally composed finish.

He missed another presentable chance later in the game when Sunderland keeper Vito Mannone had a rush of blood to the head, but the Scot was a menace all afternoon and showed why he has become such a crucial part of the Everton attack.

Another attacker who made the all important intervention, in the end, was Gerard Deulofeu.

He can be maddening and thrilling to watch in equal measures. Often too impetuous, he must play to the whistle and get his head up more frequently. But running at full-backs, he is a constant threat.

This had seemed like being one of his infuriating afternoons before he decided to torment Marco Alonso one last time.

Many managers would not have left him on the pitch by that stage, especially with Aiden McGeady and Kevin Mirallas itching to get on.

But Martinez possesses an instinctive knack of timing his changes. Deulofeu had been tiring but showed none of that when he made that final searing run and cross. Wes Brown did the rest, but when a winger runs at defenders as often as the teenager does it will eventually pay off.

Another youngster ensured the precious points stayed in the bag. Stones cleared one off the line, reacted quickest when Tim Howard fumbled another, and generally purred through the game like the revelatory talent he is.

Nobody will envy Martinez having to decide what to do when captain Phil Jagielka is fully fit, although at just 19, time is certainly on Stones’ side.

Time is of the essence for the Blues though. They have just five games left, and momentum behind them with three of those remaining games at Fortress Goodison.

Martinez is proving to be a special manager. He knows how to ensure teams peak at this stage in the season.

Consider this, remarkably Everton were 11 points behind Arsenal on March 2. Now they’re in the enviable position of having their fate in their own hands.

Let the critics who whinge that all this progress is propelled by loan players carp away. That loan system is a means to an end for the Toffees.

The end is the Champions League, and an opportunity to materially change the club’s stature for the long-term. This was supposed to be a transitional season, it is becoming a sensational one.