Survival was the key, but can Sunderland now push on?

After their two previous forays in the top-flight ended in disaster, this season has been an undoubted success for Roy Keane and Sunderland. They also lost an unwanted record as Derby even managed to claim the record for the “worst Premier League points total ever,” falling short of Sunderland’s score in 2005/6.

Now the Mackems have the opportunity to stamp themselves as a consistent Premier League side and rekindle the glory days of Peter Reid, when they finished in seventh for two consecutive seasons at the end of the nineties.

Sunderland endured a pretty torrid start to the season and the 7-1 mauling at Goodison Park was the nadir of their early results. The second half of the campaign saw a number of late winners which has been the key to their survival. Last-minute victories were secured against West Ham and Middlesbrough and the away wins at Aston Villa and Fulham towards the end of the season have ensured a second successive season in the promised land.

The victories away from home at Villa Park and Craven Cottage were the only games won on the road and if Sunderland are to push on next season, their away form will have to improve.