Allardyce anxious to avoid great escapes

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce steeled the club for a crucial offseason as it bids to end its reputation as the Premier League's relegation escape specialist.

Allardyce hailed the club's "miraculous" effort to secure its top-flight future with a game to spare after a 3-0 victory over Everton on Wednesday condemned neighbor Newcastle United and Norwich City to join Aston Villa in the Championship next season.

Allardyce's future would have been uncertain had Sunderland failed to upset the odds by clambering out of the bottom three for a fourth straight season.