Sunderland forward Fabio Borini believes his side deserved to secure an overdue three points as they defeated relegation rivals Norwich 3-0 at Carrow Road on Saturday.

The Black Cats went into the match four points below the Canaries and in the Premier League relegation zone, but goals from Borini, Jermain Defoe and Duncan Watmore helped Sam Allardyce’s side reduce that deficit and end a six-match winless streak.

The North East club are now just a point adrift of safety and Italy international Borini believes his side showed exactly what they are capable of during Saturday’s match.

Borini said: “It’s good to be back to winning ways because in the last few games we’ve deserved it but it just didn’t come. Today we showed we are the Sunderland and we can win away from home and secure victories to get closer to our objectives.”

The 25-year-old started the ball rolling in Norfolk as he won and scored a first-half penalty to give Sunderland the lead and after the game he admitted that he was always confident of converting the crucial kick.

He added: “People know when I take penalties I’m confident I’ll score and today was the same; after the tackle people might have thought I would come off for treatment, but there was no chance now we had a chance like that.”

Sunderland are next in action when they take on Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on April 24, where they will be looking to secure back-to-back wins in the top flight for the first time since January.

The Wearsiders are available at 1.61 to be relegated come the end of the season, while rivals Norwich and Newcastle are priced at 1.44 and 1.25 respectively.