Luke Molyneux scored two superb goals as Sunderland beat Everton 2-1 to move within a point of Premier League 2 Division 1 safety.
The midfielder curled the ball into the top corner of Everton’s net either side of half-time to put Sunderland 2-0 up at the Stadium of Light.
David Henen pulled a goal back in the 81st minute for Everton, who gave a PL2 debut to 16-year-old centre-back Ryan Astley, but the home side held on.
Sunderland stay in touch with 10th-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who beat Arsenal on a weekend in which the bottom three all won, with Manchester United victorious against Liverpool.
Everton’s hopes of retaining the D1 title were hit by the loss. They are fourth, seven points behind leaders Leicester City with a match in hand.
See: Sunderland report | Everton report
Next fixtures
Sunderland: 6 Apr v Man Utd (A) PL2
Everton: 17 Mar v Brighton (A) PL Cup