Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has labelled his side's 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday as one of the best moments of his life.
Stephane Sessegnon scored the only goal of the game to hand Di Canio – in charge at the Stadium of Light for the first time – his second win in a row following their 3-0 demolition of Newcastle.
Di Canio praised his side for changing the atmosphere at the ground, and for the amount of effort they are putting in as they look to avoid relegation.
"It was another important step forward to try and keep the team and club in the Premier League," Di Canio told Sky Sports.
"We did a good job. The lads have done an amazing job, but the main job is not done.
"To celebrate in front of our fans, full of passion ... it's such an incredible moment, one of the best moments of my life.
"Yes, yes, yes (the team are fulfilling their expectations) because if it depends on me I would like to press the opponent every time high, but we can't, we have to be realistic.
"So what they give is an amazing job, they give everything, it is an amazing effort. Gradually we are going to play more attractive football, but the commitment is something amazing.
"Even if we talk about Premier League players, it is not easy. It is only three weeks but they have turned the atmosphere.
"Even if you're a good manager, if you don't have quality you can't make a miracle. They gave everything. Since the moment I arrived here I saw very good ability."
The loss all but ended Everton's chances of qualifying for the Champions League, with Chelsea, who have two games in hand, five points ahead of them.
Everton manager David Moyes conceded as much after their loss and rued giving away 'a really poor goal'.
"We will go all the way. I don't think we can make the Champions League now but we will try and see if we can somehow overhaul whoever is in the Europa League place," he said.
"We didn't play well enough, it's not like us but we gave a really poor goal away and in the end that was what cost us taking something from the game."
