Jermain Defoe has admitted that Sunderland's match against Everton was "must win" as the team fights for survival in the Premier League.
Dick Advocaat's side picked up a 2-0 win at Goodison Park on Saturday, leaving them 16th in the table, two points clear of the relegation zone with two fixtures still to play.
The striker told Sky Sports News: "It was a must-win game to be honest, we knew we had to win. We still have an important game next week [at home to Leicester] but it is back-to-back wins and we are delighted to have done it.
"I think it has added a bit more pressure on the sides around us now. There was a lot of pressure on us to get a result and we handled that and that is credit to everyone at the club.
"We were solid, organised and patient as this is a difficult place to come. It was never going to be easy, so to win here 2-0 was credit to the players. It was impressive to get the result, it doesn't matter how you do it. There was a lot of pressure in a must-win game and we can go home happy."
Sunderland have now won three of their last five outings in the Premier League.
