Sunderland fans dreaming of great escape - after crucial win boost survival hopes

The battling Black Cats moved to within a single point of Premier League safety thanks to a thumping 3-0 win at fellow strugglers Norwich City.The Wearsiders could jump above the Canaries if they secure at least a point against Arsenal next Saturday.On a wet and windy day in the city, Sunderland supporters were singing in the rain as a two-month drought without a Premier League victory was ended in stunning style.A cooly-taken penalty from Italian forward Fabio Borini settled early nerves, before top scorer Jermain Defoe and rising star Duncan Watmore capped off an impressive rout with goals after the break.Phil Maynard, 43, from Silksworth, is still unsure whether the club will secure its Premier League place - but is far more confident after a welcome win.He said: “I was very nervous going in, I was panicky.“It was a huge result for the club.“I am still 50/50 about whether we will stay up or not but this keeps us in the running.”Pal John Remmer, 52, a staunch Sunderland fan since the age of seven, says the six-goal swing in the relegation six-pointer could prove decisive come May.He said: “I was very apprehensive before the game.“I was more nervous when the game got underway as Norwich started well.“But when the penalty went in I started to relax.“Borini was brilliant and Lee Cattermole was outstanding.“The three points are fantastic.“But the goal difference swing could also be very important.“The ball is in our court now.“We have our destiny in our own hands.“I think another eight points will keep us up.“I was 50/50 about is staying up - now I’m more like 75% certain.”John Peters, 47, says the gap between Sunderland and Norwich City may have proved too much if Sunderland had came away from the game with a defeat.He said: “Lee Cattermole was excellent today - he was a leader.“We have put our fate in our own hands.“Otherwise we would’ve been relying upon a slip up from Norwich.Brian Swinney, 60, from Cleveland Road, Sunderland, was delighted with the contribution of club stalwart Cattermole - with a relatively new recruit also catching the eye.Mr Swinney said: “I am very happy with the win.“I was very impressed with Jan Kirchhoff. He had a tough debut but has been very good since then,“His distribution is very good.“Lee Cattermole also had a very good game.“If we had lost this game we would’ve been dead and buried.“Now we are still in with a chance.”Graham Hutchinson, 68, from Ryhope, believes Sunderland will beat the drop after the Black Cats clipped the wings of the Canaries.But he has no sympathy for neighbours Newcastle’s efforts to remain in the top-flight.He said: “The game was good but it doesn’t matter how you win, as long as you get the three points.“Borini had a good game and Lee Cattermole was man of the match.I do believe we will stay up after that but I am hoping that Newcastle go down.”John Tough, 44, from Sunderland, says he is hopeful Sunderland can climb out of the Premier League trapdoor - but says the club still face five crucial games.He said: “The result was brilliant.“We put our chances away, which is what you have to do.“There are still five games to go and they are going to be crucial.”