Sunderland secured their Premier League survival with a game to spare after they swept aside a lacklustre Everton side 3-0 at the Stadium of Light.
Patrick van Aanholt’s first-half free-kick was followed by two thumping strikes from centre-half Lamine Kone to seal the valuable three points.
Norwich City needed to win, and they did so 4-2 against Watford, but that wasn’t enough as Sam Allardyce’s side had completed the great escape for the third year running.
Vito Mannone produced some magnificent stops, especially late in the game, but find out what Andrew McDonnell though of the players’ performances.
Solid as a rock at the back
Vito Mannone (9) – Another clean-sheet for Mannone and his back four. What an outstanding run of saves he made from Miralles, Barry and Funes Mori.
DeAndre Yedlin (7) – Not the most convincing of nights that he has had in a Red and White shirt, but he still played a key role in the win.
Lamine Kone (9) – Signing of the season (bar Defoe), pressed on forward for set-pieces, and his first two goals for Sunderland came in the game after he latched onto two loose balls.
Younes Kaboul (9) – Thoroughly impressive display at the back alongside Kone, and he had the ever-dangerous Lukaku in his back pocket all evening.
Patrick van Aanholt (8) – Scored the goal that got the Lads up and running in the game, sending Joel the wrong way and the hosts never looked back after that.
Impressive display in midfield
Lee Cattermole (7) – Cats’ leadership in the centre-of-the-park was decisive as always, and he played a pivotal role in the game, getting the team over the line.
Jan Kirchhoff (8) – Has turned out to be another great addition after a shaky start, another brilliant display in midfield, winning the ball back many times.
Yann M’Vila (7) – Played well alongside Cattermole and Kirchhoff, seems to have found a bit of his old form and he got the assist for Kone’s first goal in the game.
Forward line caused problems as always
Fabio Borini (7) – Can’t recall the Italian having too much of a look in at goal, but he played his part by pressing for the full 90 minutes and winning the ball back.
Jermain Defoe (8) – He did everything right in the game, but score. Defoe has a chance of an England call-up now as he leads the line brilliantly and Joel produced some fine saves to deny him a deserved goal.
Wahbi Khazri (8) – The winger was a threat once again coming in from the left hand side, and it was his corner that led to Kone’s second goal.
Substitutes impactful
Seb Larsson (7) – Allardyce brought the Swede on to give the side some fresh legs in the closing stages of the game, replaced Kirchhoff on 69 minutes.
John O’Shea (7) – Replaced Cattermole, who got a standing ovation walking off, on 79 minutes, and his wise head saw the Black Cats to close the game out.