Sam Allardyce eyes happy ending for Sunderland

Sam Allardyce has admitted his overwhelming emotion will be relief rather than celebration if Sunderland secure their Premier League status tonight.

Victory over faltering Everton at the Stadium of Light would ensure the Black Cats’ continued presence in the top flight after a fourth successive late escape, something which was far from certain before Saturday’s fine 3-2 win over Chelsea.

However, while manager Allardyce insists his players would deserve to celebrate, his response would be more low key. The 61-year-old said: “I think it will be a big celebration for the players — and I think they should go out and celebrate as well if they can do it.