Former Sunderland captain Gary Bennett has hailed the resilience of the current Black Cats squad, crediting head coach Regis le Bris and his players for embodying a season-long mantra of persistence. The focus on simply "keeping going and making it to 40 points" has not only secured safety but has the club dreaming of a higher finish.

Speaking after a gritty 1-0 victory over Tottenham at the Stadium of Light, Bennett reflected on the significance of the win. "It was a fantastic result yet again. It is a big three points," he told BBC Radio Newcastle. "We have just got to look forward to the next six games now, let's see where they take us. We keep surprising people, don't we?"

Bennett pointed out that while Spurs showcased their quality, Sunderland executed the fundamentals for success. "Tottenham looked good at times but it isn't just about looking good, it's also about getting results. From Sunderland's point of view, it is another clean sheet and another three points."

The club legend then highlighted the journey from a relegation battle to a position of strength. "I remember all the talk about maybe needing 40 points for survival this season. However, we did say it would be enough when we got to 33 points. But it is credit to the manager and the players because we kept going and made it to 40 points to guarantee our safety."

With safety assured, the ambition has shifted. "Now we're wondering if we can push on and maybe get another six or nine points [in the remaining games]," Bennett said, capturing the renewed optimism around the club. "Imagine where that would take us! Who knows what could happen from here?"