Sunderland manager Gus Poyet is confident that his side will avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.
The Black Cats are still bottom of the table, but are now only two points behind Crystal Palace in 17th.
Poyet's men have became harder to beat in recent weeks and, after coming from two goals down to draw at Cardiff City on Saturday, they have avoided defeat in each of their last five matches in all competitions.
"I do feel we will be in the Premier League next season because we are back there with the other teams," Poyet told reporters following his side's 2-2 draw at Cardiff. "When I took over there was a big gap to the teams in the middle of the table, now we are one win away from getting out of the relegation zone.
"That is a great feeling for the players and the fans. It is now up to us, we are five games unbeaten. When you are at the bottom people do not notice that, but we had been defending well until this game and we scored today.
"We are going in the right direction so let's hope we can maintain that consistency in the New Year and get another three points. We have character and desire and we are going to fight."
Sunderland will start 2014 with three home games in seven days, as they host Aston Villa in the league, before facing Carlisle United in the FA Cup and Manchester United in the Capital One Cup.
Robert Summerscales
