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Regis Le Bris' crucial six-word Sunderland message ahead of Chelsea European shootout

Sunderland battled back from behind to win 3-1 at Everton yesterday, a result that lifted the Black Cats up to ninth, just a point behind eighth placed Brentford and two shy of Brighton in seventh.

It means the Black Cats now know that a victory over Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on Sunday would be enough to secure a place in next season's UEFA Conference League if Brentford fail to win at Liverpool on the final day. The Black Cats could also climb above Brighton into seventh which would mean a place in next season's Europa League if they won on Sunday, the Seagulls lost at home to Manchester United and Brentford fail to win.

Manchester City's FA Cup success on Saturday means an eighth place finish would now be enough for Conference League qualification. Chelsea have a game in hand - which comes tomorrow night at home to Tottenham - but even if they won that game, which would lift them to eighth, Sunderland would leapfrog the Blues with victory on Wearside on Sunday.

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Le Bris has been understandably reluctant to talk about European qualification all season but it's now very much on the cards for the Black Cats after their superb victory yesterday.

But the head coach's message was clear.

"It's on but it's not done," he said after Sunday's win, which came thanks to second half goals from Brian Brobbey, Enzo Le Fee and substitute Wilson Isidor.

"The most important thing from the previous experiences is to stay focused on our standards.

"When we start dreaming it's a distraction. We had this experience at home a few weeks ago and it was painful [Nottingham Forest defeat].

"The opponent at the Stadium of Light next week will be strong so we'll have to be at our best and hope with our fans we'll have the power and energy to give our best."

Asked what it would mean for Sunderland to qualify for Europe in their first season back in the Premier League, Le Bris said: "If it's the case at the end of the game we'll have this conversation.

"But now it's about a really good season. We hit the 40-point target early and we have been able to keep the consistency after, even if we could have been a complacent. The team showed they were still ambitious and played good football. Now we have an opportunity to play a really exciting fixture at home and we'll see."

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