Sunderland, United Kingdom – Paolo Di Canio might have completely transformed Sunderland's fortunes in the last three weeks, but the Black Cats manager claims his side cannot take Premier League safety for granted.
Di Canio's team followed up last weekend's remarkable 3-0 win over Newcastle with a 1-0 success against Everton on Saturday that lifted them six points clear of third bottom Wigan in the fight to avoid relegation.
With just four games to go, Sunderland look well placed to retain their top-flight status for a seventh consecutive season, but Di Canio insists they cannot regard their job as complete.
“I don't think it's enough,” Di Canio said. “We have had two important victories but if Wigan beat Swansea (in their game in hand) they will be up to 34 points and that will take them close to us on 37.
“With four games still to play, it's not enough. If we get three points against Aston Villa that could be enough.
“But if we lose against Aston Villa and Stoke and win against Southampton maybe three more points will not be enough. I don't know.”
Di Canio led the celebrations in the centre-circle at the final whistle, but was not tempted to repeat the St James' Park knee slide that left his suit ruined with grass stains.
“I can't dive every time,” he said. “It was difficult enough to find another pair of trousers in the build-up to this game. But you could feel the atmosphere from the crowd all game and that was brilliant.”
Sunderland's win came courtesy of a 45th-minute strike from Stephane Sessegnon, who capitalised on a stray pass from Leighton Baines to drill a low drive past Tim Howard's right hand.
Seb Larsson went close with three first-half free-kicks, and while Adam Johnson wasted a decent chance to put the game to bed with six minutes left, the Black Cats were the dominant side throughout.
Everton produced one of their worst displays of the season, with Simon Mignolet only called into action to thwart substitute Nikica Jelavic midway through the second half.
The defeat leaves Everton two points adrift of the top four, but fourth-placed Chelsea have three games in hand, the first of which takes them to Liverpool on Sunday.
Everton manager David Moyes admitted his team did not perform to their usual standards and conceded their pursuit of a Champions League place is over.
“We won't get a top-four position,”said Moyes. “Every game had become must win, so I can't see it happening.
“We didn't play well. We had an awful lot of possession in the second half but didn't have the quality to get the goals.”
Moyes felt the fixture list hardly did Everton any favours as the first team to visit the Stadium of Light since Di Canio took charge.
“It helped Sunderland and you could tell that from the atmosphere around the ground,” Moyes said.
“I thought there was an incredible atmosphere around the stadium.
“Even when they were hanging on, the crowd were willing them not to concede a goal. It's given them a bit of energy and that was evident.” – Sapa-AFP