Sunderland are now at 15th place, ahead of both Norwich and Newcastle on goal difference. They are three points ahead of 18th-place Wigan but with a game more played.
In-form Tottenham Hotspur overturned a half-time deficit to win 2-1 at Sunderland on Saturday and provisionally move into third place in the Premier League table.
Manchester United defender John O'Shea is set to join teammate Wes Brown at Premier League rivals Sunderland, press reports said on Thursday.