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Sheets recorded his ninth 100-yard rushing performance of the season to tie the Riders club record.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.dddddddddddd 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 miraculous Sunderland safe as Toon drop ' ' '