Sunderland have secured their Premier League status for another season after claiming a goalless draw at Arsenal on Wednesday night.
The Black Cats rode their luck for much of the game, but at times defended brilliantly to keep the home side out.
Black Cats ‘keeper Costel Pantilimon was also superb as he kept a third successive clean sheet and produced a string of good saves.
The Romanian international joined the north east club last summer from Manchester City on a free transfer and he could be regarded as one of the bargain buys of the season.
The 28-year-old has been outstanding at times for the Black Cats throughout the campaign.
Interim boss Dick Advocaat was notably emotional when the final whistle went at the Emirates, as his side dug in at a difficult away venue for a second successive game.
For a second consecutive campaign Sunderland have hit form at the end of a season to survive the drop to the Championship. Last season they secured surprising results at Manchester City and Chelsea.
This season they have repeated the trick, but this time at Everton and Arsenal.
They say that cats have nine lives and the Black Cats have certainly tested that theory to the limited in recent seasons and lived life dangerously.
Next season everybody connected with the club will be hoping that the team can enjoy a better campaign and they will not have to rescue their campaign so near the end this time.
Where Sunderland lucky to escape the drop to the Championship?
