SUNDERLAND, Apr 26 (SW) - Sunderland achieved a 3-2 victory over Middlesbrough and appear to be save for a spot in next season's Premiership.

Tuncay Sanli put Boro ahead after only four minutes, but Higginbotham equalized two minutes later.

Chopra got a second for the home side just before half time, but Brazilian striker Afonso Alves netted for 2-2 in the 73rd minute. The winning goal came from the unfortunate Austrian Emanuel Pogatetz, who beat his own keeper in the 90th minute and gave the points to Sunderland.