SAM ALLARDYCE believes Sunderland’s ‘massive’ victory over relegation rivals Norwich City should provide his players with the belief that they can stay in the Premier League.

The Black Cats are only a point adrift of the Canaries and have a game in hand ahead of the final few weeks of the season courtesy of the 3-0 win at Carrow Road.

Fabio Borini struck the opener from the penalty spot in the 41st minute and then Jermain Defoe added a second seven minutes into the second half.

Then substitute Duncan Watmore sealed the points by adding a third in stoppage-time to leave Norwich deflated, just two weeks after they had beaten Newcastle in Norfolk.

The manner of the victory has also given Sunderland a significant seven-goal superior goal difference over Norwich.

Allardyce said: “It could be a factor no doubt about that, with only five games to go and goal difference being that much better for us. If you sit here now and say we will stay up on goal difference, I’ll take that now. But we’ll try to get as many points as we can over the next five games.

“We should get more confidence. It’s a huge task trying to beat Arsenal next week and hopefully this result gives the lads confidence to do that. But for this weekend they can relax and enjoy themselves a bit more.

“A clean sheet was the first thing I asked for and I am asking for from now until the end of the season because that will keep us up. We have a goal scorer who scores lots of goal - he’s in double figures - and if we keep a clean sheet, Jermain is going to score one goal to win the game. We scored three today and the three front men scored which is nice.”

Sunderland were excellent across the pitch; defending strongly and counter-attacking with style.

Allardyce said: “Dealing with the pressure, that’s the key element for our victory. For one, the position we’re in and, two, the team we are playing away from home - coping with both elements was key … and our clinical finishing at the right time has put the game to bed.

“Though we have played much better, the most important thing was the result and to get a 3-0 was a massive result and a massive performance which gives us a little bit more hope.”

Allardyce also paid tribute to 22-year-old Watmore, who played his first game since rupturing ankle ligaments at Liverpool in February and scored.

He said: “He’s back from a long injury and gives us an alternative. When we’re playing on the counter attack it suits him brilliantly because he can go from one end of the pitch to the other.

“Having been out for so long, he only trained for four days and the composure he showed to take the third goal - hopefully there is some more of that to come in the next five games.”