Ton-up king Kevin Phillips holds the key to Sunderland's chances of landing a Champions League place this season.

Boss Peter Reid refuses to discuss the possibility of getting into Europe after Sunderland fell flat on their faces a year ago - going three months without a win after the topic was raised.

But Phillips return to scoring form with a hat-trick against Bradford on Boxing Day is the best news yet for Wearside fans celebrating their club's climb to third place in the Premiership table.

The England striker joined Sunderland's ton-up club with his 100th goal in three and a half years at the Stadium of Light - racing to the total in just 142 games.

But a breakdown of his record reveals an even more astonishing fact. For of the 77 games in which Phillips has scored Sunderland have lost only six, drawing 17 and winning the remaining 54.

It shows just how crucial the 27-year-old marksman is to Sunderland's chances of success.

And it suggests that if he keeps on scoring, Sunderland will get into Europe for the first time since 1973.

Phillips, only the third post-war player to reach the total, was yesterday in the mood for more goals and said: "Maybe that has shut up a few people after the things that have been said about me this season.

"It has been a fantastic few years for me at Sunderland and I couldn't have dreamed I'd get so many goals this quickly.

"Now I want more and long may it continue."

Phillips' teammate Don Hutchison mentioned the E-word yesterday and said: "We are third, which is fantastic, and our aim has to be to finish in a place which sees us qualify for Europe."

The Scottish international believes it's possible because of the competition now in the squad.

"Before I signed the gaffer assured me that we had the players who could achieve Euro-qualification. And you just had to look at our bench against Bradford to see the strength of the squad.

"When I was out through suspension the boys beat Chelsea and I couldn't get back into the team.

"It's a healthy situation because if you don't perform there is someone waiting to come in."

Sunderland face Arsenal at Highbury on Saturday having won six of their last seven Premiership games and Hutchison added: "They have been devastating at home in their last two home games but I think we are the form team in the country."

It's a remarkable turnaround considering the knives were out for Reid earlier in the season after Sunderland slipped to 17th in the table.

Hutchison has contributed to the revival with six goals - all but one from midfield - and insists he doesn't mind where he plays so long as he's in the team.

"I have played up front for Scotland so I know what it's about," he said.

"And to be truthful, I should have had a couple of goals from midfield at Bradford.

"I'd like to get into double figures and that is my target.

"But I just want the fans to look on me as a player who always gives 100 per cent.