Sunderland’s survival was confirmed with a game to spare following their 3-0 win over Everton at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday.That hadnt seemed likely in November when the Black Cats had capitulated 6-2 against the same opposition to leave them with six points from the first 11 games.But Sam Allardyce used the transfer window to great effect with the signings of Lamine Kone, Wahbi Khazri and Jan Kirchhoff proving pivotal. Sunderland safe as Toon drop Sunderland secured their Premier League status with a 3-0 victory over Everton. I think the contribution of the players we got in January was really big for this team to come out of trouble, Allardyce told Sky Sports after the game. Heres why…Lamine KoneKone was the goalscoring hero on the night with two of Sunderlands three goals and the first of which was a strike that Jermain Defoe would have been proud of - the 27-year-old Ivorian blasting the ball beyond Joel Robles to settle the nerves at the Stadium of Light.But its defensively that Kone has had the biggest impact. Sunderland have lost only 21 per cent of the games that the centre-back has played this season compared to 64 per cent without him - and the key to that has been the teams improved defensive solidity. Sam Allardyce talks to Sky Sports after securing Sunderlands safety In the 14 games prior to Kones inclusion in the line-up, Allardyces side conceded an average of more than two goals per game - 30 in total. In the 14 games hes started since, Sunderland have let in only 14 goals.With Kone coming in, were becoming a team thats very difficult to break down, Allardyce told Sky Sports. And thats giving us a platform to win games.Jan KirchhoffKirchhoffs impact wasnt quite so immediate. He endured a woeful debut against Tottenham, appearing ill-prepared for the speed and physicality of the Premier League. But the £750,000 signing from Bayern Munich adapted quickly in a holding midfield role. Kirchhoffs tackling Jan Kirchhoff has averaged 4.2 tackles per 90 minutes, more than any other Sunderland player this season. Its like playing with a third centre-back, Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports. Hes made a massive difference in there. The statistics support that view with Kirchhoff having more touches per game and making more tackles per game than any other Sunderland player. Jan Kirchhoff was delighted after Sunderlands 3-0 win against Everton I just love the way he plays, said former Sunderland forward Niall Quinn. He doesnt shirk any responsibility, he makes the tackles if they need to be made. He does that hard side of the game really well and hes a stylish player.Allardyce agreed when discussing the player with Carragher and Quinn afterwards. He explained: In midfield weve got stronger. Jan Kirchhoff coming in and sitting and intercepting has kept the pressure off the back four. Wahbi Khazri scored a stunning goal against Chelsea and has had a big impact Wahbi KhazriFor all the platform provided by Kone and Kirchhoff, Defoe still needed help at the other end of the pitch if Sunderland were to score the goals to take them to safety. Invention was lacking and Khazri was the man who helped to deliver it. Sunderland chances created Player Chances created per 90 Wahbi Khazri 2.3 Yann MVila 1.3 Sebastian Larsson 1.3 Jeremain Lens 1.3 The former Bordeaux winger was the last of the trio to arrive but he soon became a fan favourite. Khazri has created more chances per game than any other Sunderland player. The end product was there when it mattered too. It was Khazris stunning goal against Chelsea last weekend that helped to spark Sunderland to life in the 3-2 victory at the Stadium of Light. Four days on and the teams safety was confirmed, thanks in no small part to three huge January signings.Also See:Allardyce: Its pretty miraculousSunderland safe as Toon dropChris Sabo Jersey Large . The nimble-footed quarterback got his wish, dashing through the snow and a weary defence all the way into the NCAA record book. Johnny Bench Jersey Large . The Oilers come in having lost five in a row (0-4-1) and 16 of their last 20 games, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. http://www.customredsjersey.com/custom-reggie-sanders-jersey-large-282w.html .Y. - Detroit goaltender Jonas Gustavsson has earned NHL first star of the week honours after winning in his first three appearances of the season. Custom Johnny Bench Jersey . Capitals head coach Adam Oates said Ovechkin was injured in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday and clarified it was not a head injury. Ken Griffey Jersey Large . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St.VILLANOVA, Pa. -- Jay Wright and his Villanova players are ready to enjoy Thanksgiving and take a much-needed break from basketball.Josh Hart had 13 points and 11 rebounds, Kris Jenkins scored 11 points and No. 2 Villanova knocked off feisty College of Charleston 63-47 on Wednesday night.The Wildcats improved to 6-0 a season after winning the national championship but struggled to put away the overmatched Cougars in their fourth game in seven days and their sixth in 13.It was not a pretty game, Wright said. We just found a way to gut it out.Mikal Bridges and Eric Paschall added eight points and five rebounds apiece for the Wildcats, who shot just 5 for 17 from 3-point range and 8 for 22 from the field in the second half.Jarrell Brantley led Charleston with 18 points and seven rebounds. The Cougars shot 4 for 22 from 3-point range and committed 14 turnovers.Its a good way to learn, Brantley said. Theyre a really good team and do a lot of things right. It will only help.Jenkins, who famously hit the title-winning shot to beat North Carolina at the buzzer last April, was held out of the starting lineup by Wright because he missed a class. But the senior forward came in just 3 minutes into the game and played 28 minutes, shooting 4 for 7 from the field.Hart, who won MVP of the 2016 Gildan Charleston Classic after leading the Wildcats to the tournament title on Sunday, also shot 4 for 7 from the field and 2 for 3 from 3-point range.He was called back into the game in the final minutes after Wright admitted to putting his walk-ons in too early -- not that it bothered the teams star senior.Im not really worried about minutes, said Hart, a Wooden Award candidate. Id love to play the whole game if the coach lets me.BIG PICTURECharleston: After starting a season with three straight wins for the first time since 2011-12, the Cougars have dropped three in a row to fall back to .500. But they will have some easier games coming up before entering play in the Colonial Athletic Association, where they were picked to fiinish fourth.ddddddddddddVillanova: The defending national champs continued to roll through the early portion of their schedule. Four of their next five games come against Philadelphia Big 5 rivals, where the competition is always heated, with a marquee matchup vs. Notre Dame sandwiched in between.ULTIMATE CHALLENGEAlthough the Cougars left town with a loss, Charleston coach Earl Grant felt the game was, in many ways, a win-win for his program.My thought process coming into this game is its the ultimate challenge, Grant said. You get to play against the best team in college basketball. They won the championship last year and until someone beats them this year theyre still the champion. . We knew it would be hard but I think, at this time of year, hard things are good.NOVEMBER REIGNOver the past four seasons, Villanova is 25-0 in the month of November and have claimed four tournament championships in the month, including their recent run through the Gildan Charleston Classic.Wednesdays game was technically Villanovas fourth victory of the Charleston Classic -- after wins over Western Michigan, Wake Forest and UCF at TD Arena -- but the result didnt factor into the bracket.NO BOOTH, NO PROBLEM (FOR NOW)Phil Booth missed his third straight game for Villanova with left knee inflammation. But Wright said the injury is minor and hes eager to get one of his top guards back after the Thanksgiving break.I thought we held up pretty well, Wright said of his teams grueling stretch. If we werent getting Phil Booth back, I think Id be more concerned.POLL IMPLICATIONSAfter moving up a spot to No. 2 this week, Villanova figures to stay there behind top-ranked Kentucky barring any major upsets.UP NEXTCharleston aims to snap its three-game losing streak when it hosts USC Upstate on Sunday.Villanova will look for a record 15th straight Big 5 win against Penn at the historic Palestra on Tuesday. ' ' '