Sunderland 3-2 Chelsea
Goal king Jermain Defoe grabbed a sensational winner to power Sunderland to victory over Chelsea.
The Black Cats moved out of the relegation zone as they twice came from behind against a Blues side who boasted the top flight’s best away record in 2016.
Diego Costa’s early goal made Sunderland’s task tougher, only for Wahbi Khazri to equalise with a sensational volley.
A close-range finish from Nemanja Matic saw Chelsea re-take the lead with the last kick of the half.
But the Black Cats turned it around as Fabio Borini slammed home a leveller against his former club before Defoe won it two minutes later.
John Terry was sent off for a second bookable offence late on as Sunderland held out to exit the bottom three.
Sunderland 3-0 Everton
Sunderland produced a spine-tingling display at the Stadium of Light as Sam Allardyce’s side renewed their Barclays Premier League status for a tenth consecutive season.
The Black Cats’ attacking trio stole the headlines last weekend as Chelsea were stunned on Wearside, but the defenders took centre stage on a night to remember as Patrick van Aanholt opened the scoring before Lamine Kone struck a brace.
Dutchman van Aanholt was in danger of being replaced after picking up an early knock, but he dusted himself down and set the tone with a free-kick which was seemingly sucked in by the South Stand.
An unstoppable volley from Kone followed as the Black Cats entered the break with a 2-0 lead, and any late nerves were blissfully avoided thanks to the defender’s opportunistic close-range finish midway through the second period.
Chances continued to fall by the wayside as both sides contested an open finale against a sea of red and white ecstasy, and nothing could spoil this occasion as a jubilant Wearside sent tremors reverberating throughout the north east.
If Jamie Vardy thought his party was good, he should have seen the full-time whistle at the Stadium of Light.
Watford 2-2 Sunderland
Sunderland finished the 2015-16 season with an entertaining 2-2 draw at Watford.
Jack Rodwell opened the scoring late in the first half with a close-range finish, only for Sebastian Prodl to head home the equaliser just a couple of minutes into the second period.
Jeremain Lens capped a brilliant counter-attack with a neat finish to restore the lead only for Troy Deeney to level from the penalty spot.
The Black Cats had two goals controversially disallowed for offside – one in either half - and replays showed both should have stood.
Sam Allardyce took the opportunity to hand starts to Rees Greenwood and Tom Robson, with both doing brilliantly and the latter completing the full 90 minutes at left back.
