AFTER finally sealing a return to winning ways at Crystal Palace last Monday, Seb Larsson thinks Sunderland must try to eradicate defensive lapses if they are to fulfil ambitions to avoid a relegation struggle this season.

The Black Cats climbed up to 15th by recording a second Premier League win of the season at Selhurst Park but they could quite easily drop back in to the bottom three if they fail to build on that against Everton at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

And Larsson, revealing a significant lift in morale on the training ground after the most recent trip to London, feels the only way that Sunderland can build on Monday’s win at the Palace is to end their problems at the back.

Sunderland have the third worst defensive record in the top-flight. Larsson said: “I think that our problem lately has been giving silly goals away. You can’t do that at this level so we spoke about it last week and went back to basics (at Crystal Palace).

“We were back to being solid again against Palace and we will have to do the same again on Sunday because you can’t give anything away especially against a team like Everton.”

Even though Sunderland were stronger at the back that they had been in previous matches, Wes Brown still had to suffer the frustration of scoring another own goal. More own goals were scored by the Wearside club than any other team last season and they are already ahead of the rest this time around.

But the Sunderland squad are happier and more optimistic than they have been this season going in to the visit of the Toffees.

Larsson said: “You always have to show that spirit but even more so after the last couple of results. The pressure was on to stay strong as a team and I thought we did that. I thought we showed good commitment even when our backs were against the wall a little bit.

“I think in general, after the last two defeats, the pressure was on. It is simple, that kind of ruined our start to the season a little bit - it was half decent before that - and we wanted to get back on track. Luckily we did that and now we can move forward. I don't think our togetherness has ever been in doubt.”

He added: “It is amazing what a good result can do. The atmosphere was a little down after the last couple of weeks and we haven’t seen that many smiles around the place, but after a win the place is buzzing again. We needed to get back on track and show determination and togetherness, which I think we did, so that got us through in the end and we got three points.”