We must fight to the end, says returning goal hero Khazri

WAHBI Khazri says Sunderland must fight to the very end after shaving a point off the gap between themselves and safety.

Khazri returned to the starting XI for the first time since October, and celebrated by scoring direct from a corner against West Ham – ending the Black Cats’ near-12 hour goal drought in the process – as the Wearsiders twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light.

With Hull City losing, the draw means Sunderland are now nine points behind fourth-bottom Swansea City but, with only five games remaining, it has done little to improve their chances of survival.

But Khazri says Sunderland must not lie down and accept their fate.

“It is not a good result, but not a bad result either,” said the Tunisian.

“We have Middlesbrough next, and if we win that, we could reduce it to six points.

“We need to keep the faith and fight for all 38 games.”

Khazri added: “I thought we could win the game but West Ham are not a bad team, they are a good team with good players.

“I’m happy [with the goal] and happy because for eight months I have not played very much.

“I need to help the team and I will put in 100%. I like this team, I like this club, I like these fans – they are unbelievable – and we have to fight to the end.

“If we have to adjust to the Championship, so be it, but we have to respect the club, the team, the fans.”