Will I stay? Ask Mrs Advocaat

LAUGHTER hasn’ t been a familiar sound for Sunderland in this bleak season but, as safety crept into view, it boomed around Goodison Park.

It came f rom Dick Advocaat, the ebullient character who, in the space of six games, has steered Sunderland from the brink of relegation to securing their status as a Barclays Premier League club. This victory over Everton felt like a defining moment.

Having instilled organisation and discipline to a group that recently resembled a rabble, he was asked whether he would like to prolong his time on Wearside but couldn’t give an answer — not without consulting Mrs Advocaat.

‘Did I take a risk comi ng here? No,’ said Advocaat. ‘I tell you why — this is my last job. I’ve had a great career, won a lot of prizes and I’m really enjoying what I’m doing now. Hopefully we stay up. If not, I have still enjoyed my time at Sunderland.’

If it is his last job, how long will it last? ‘I can’t say,’ he replied. ‘If I do, I get a divorce!’

Cue the merriment. Yet whether he stays or goes, there is no doubt the influence Advocaat has had on Sunderland. By his own admission, the intention was ‘ not to lose’ and there were moments when they benefited from fortune, not least when Danny Graham and Jermain Defoe scored courtesy of deflections. SUPER STAT: This was the first time Sunderland have had back-toback wins this season. EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Howard 6: Coleman 7, Stones 6.5, Jagielka 6, Baines 6 (Garbutt 74min, 6); McCarthy 7, Barry 5 (Mirallas 63, 6); Lennon 5.5 (McGeady 86), Barkley 6.5, Osman 7: Lukaku 5. Subs not used: Robles, Kone, Naismith, Besic. Booked: Coleman, Garbutt. SUNDERLAND (4-3-3): Pantilimon 8: Jones 6, Coates 7, Brown 7, Van Aanholt 7: Larsson 6 (Bridcutt 83), Cattermole 7.5, Gomez 6.5: Defoe 7, Graham 7 (Johnson 74, 6), Wickham 5 (Fletcher 74, 5). Subs not used: Mannone, Reveillere, Vergini, Buckley. Booked: Brown, Gomez, Defoe. Scorers: Graham 54, Defoe 85. Man of the match: Costel Pantilimon. Referee: Lee Probert 7.