Sunderland keeper Victor Mannone banking on defence

KEEPER Victor Mannone claims improving Sunderland have built a platform for survival.

PARKING THE BUS: Mannone feels Sunderland can survive if they continue to keep clean sheets [GETTY]

Though the Black Cats are still five points adrift of safety, Mannone predicted after the 1-0 defeat at Hull last month - when Sunderland were reduced to nine men - that their second-half shut-out could prove a turning point.

“We've stopped giving away cheap goals and you can't believe how much confidence it gives you”

Victor Mannone

Ahead of successive home games against Chelsea tomorrow and Tottenham on Saturday, the Italian said: "I thought everything changed when we kept a clean sheet after the sendings-off.
"That was massive in our mentality and now we look much more solid.
"We've stopped giving away cheap goals and you can't believe how much confidence it gives you