SANTIAGO VERGINI has urged Sunderland to produce a repeat performance of Sunday’s Wear-Tyne derby win and come out of the blocks flying when Crystal Palace visit the Stadium of Light tomorrow.

The Black Cats were on the front foot from kick-off against Newcastle and their positive start made it difficult for the Magpies to get a foothold in the game.

The derby win moved Dick Advocaat’s men four points clear of the drop zone, but Queen’s Park Rangers’ draw at Aston Villa on Tuesday night saw the gap narrow to three.

With the prospect of trips to Arsenal and Chelsea in the final week of the season, it is crucial Sunderland take points from their next five matches starting against Alan Pardew’s Eagles.

Having struggled to put teams on the back foot in the final months of Gus Poyet’s reign, Sunday’s performance demonstrated the progress made in the short time Advocaat has been at the helm.

Sunderland’s strong start last weekend also created positive atmosphere around the stadium and Vergini wants more of the same this weekend.

“We definitely need to use Sunday as an example and we need to go out and start strongly against Crystal Palace,” the Argentine defender said. “We’ve shown that we’ve got the spirit and character to go out and do that but this game is different.

“We need to show the same qualities we did on Sunday.”

Sunderland face a rejuvenated Palace side that have won four of their last five games, but Vergini has stressed the Wearsiders must focus on their own form rather than their opponents.

He said: “We need to look at what aspects we need to improve on and also the things we have done well which we must continue.

“Palace are a solid team and it will be a very difficult game, but we’ve got to focus on ourselves.”

Pardew returns to the North-East for the first time since leaving Newcastle in December. The former Magpies boss lost four times at the hands of Sunderland during his five year tenure at St James’ Park, but he has warned the Wearsiders to worry about his side rather than his presence.

“We’re going there in great form. The stadium will be wary of us, the 11 players on the pitch,” Pardew said.

“Irrespective of my reception, it’s about the 11 players on the pitch and Sunderland fans know that we’re in really good form.

“The group is on a high. We have a different type of game this Saturday and we need to make the adjustment quickly.”