They have a brand new manager, who did not win his first game in charge. They are clear the drop, but only by a single point. With just eight games left in this Premier League season, can Sunderland be saved?

Sunderland’s season did not get off to a flying start. They drew on the opening day, away to West Brom 2-2. Sunderland did not manage to secure their first league win until October, in a 3-1 home win over Stoke City. This joy was short lived, as their next fixture was their worst of the season. Poyet’s side travelled to St. Mary’s to face Southampton, and lost by a landslide 8-0. Koeman’s side were deserving of their win, but Sunderland were humiliated.

The ever busy festive period was not kind to the Black Cats either. They recorded just two wins out of ten league games in December and January: 0-1 at St James’s Park and 2-0 at home to Burnley.

The latter part of the season has not been what Sunderland had hoped for. They progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup, but were knocked out by Bradford – who had been one of the surprise packages of the cup this season, after knocking Chelsea out 4-2. The final straw for Gus Poyet came in the home fixture against struggling Aston Villa. Villa dropped their manager Paul Lambert, and brought in Tim Sherwood. Sherwood’s side dominated the Black Cats, scoring four goals in the first half.

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Gus Poyet himself was then sacked as Sunderland manager – to be replaced by Dick Advocaat. The new manager was brought in on March 17, with just over two months left of the season. His first hurdle was away to West Ham, but the home side snatched all three points.

Advocaat certainly has a mountain to climb before the season comes to a close. Sunderland are by no means safe from relegation, given how close points are at the bottom. Sunderland still have to travel to Everton, Chelsea and Arsenal; all of which will be difficult fixtures.

Yet the current relegation candidates will also struggle as the season finishes. Burnley still have to host North London’s Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as travel to West Ham, Everton and Aston Villa. Queens Park Rangers will welcome league leaders Chelsea, and travel to Anfield and the Etihad. Leicester, who are certain to be in the Championship, still have to host Chelsea, Newcastle and Southampton. Sunderland’s saving grace could be the other sides dropping points from these upcoming fixtures. But Burnley could still keep themselves in the league, and it could be Sunderland for the drop.

If Advocaat can’t keep his side up at the end of the season, it is no real reflection of his managerial abilities, it will just go to show that time was not on his side. He has had limited time to learn his best squad and work with his players. If he does stay up, he’ll be a lucky man.

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Tottenham will most likely fail to make the Champions League places and a summer clearout is highly expected. Numerous well known players will face the chop and Brazilian Paulinho should be at the top of that list.

When Gareth Bale left for Real Madrid in the summer of 2013 Spurs needed to find a prolific goal scorer to make up the deficit.

Spurs went on a huge spending spree signing the likes of Roberto Soldado, Erik Lamela and former Corinthians midfielder Paulinho in a bid to rejuvenate the squad.

The 26-year-old cost the North London club just under £17million and was highly rated at the time as a box-to-box midfielder who had strong defensive qualities and was good from set pieces. But in his two seasons Paulinho has failed to make any real impact.

Last year he made 28 league starts for the first team while that has dropped to just two for 2014/15.

The Brazilian has obviously lost the faith of his new manager and if he does survive the window then he’ll probably have a similarly frustrating season as his last two. So is he to blame for his poor performances or has he just suffered from the lack of cohesion and consistency at White Hart Lane since his arrival?

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In Mauricio Pochettino’s first year as Spurs boss he has had a decent season notching up confidence-building wins against Arsenal and Chelsea. It would be unfair to expect the Argentine to get this ragtag group of players to break into the top four when at times there were roughly seven teams competing to do just that.

The Lilywhites have suffered much uncertainty in recent times owing to the quick hiring and firing that has resulted in two new managers arriving at White Hart Lane in the space of a year. And now that the club seem happy with Pochettino this summer he will likely be allowed to further stamp his mark on the underachieving squad which certainly does not look good for Paulinho.

Although the club has lacked stability Paulinho still hasn’t been good enough and a move in the summer is probably his best option. His lack of impact is likely to reduce his chances of moving to a big team and instead he may need to just get away from the Premier League and work on rebuilding his reputation. At his age he still has time to salvage his career but he will need to find a club where he gets to play more regularly that he has.

It is hard to believe it now but when the midfielder joined he was actually a record signing for the club and supporters were excited to have such a player among their ranks. Now he is surplus to requirements with Christian Eriksen dominating his central role. There is a similar situation for Paulinho at international level with the Brazilian squad. He has failed to make it into Dunga’s starting XI and with the Copa America on the horizon he is unlikely to feature at all for them.

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Things are getting worse for Paulinho at both domestic and international level and after two seasons without really producing much, Pochettino and Spurs should not let him stick around for a third try.

Better to cut their losses than carry deadweight.

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With Steven Gerrard hanging up his boots at not only Liverpool, but also the Premier League, we are losing one of the great footballers who have helped to sculpt the league into what it is today. In the last few years, we have said goodbye to Gerrard, Giggs and Scholes.

As things stand you could argue that John Terry is the only remaining Premier League great who is still playing in England. Terry is probably the last remaining Premier League star who has been part of its backbone for so long, yet has remained consistently good. Love him or hate him – and believe me, many do – you cannot deny he was and is still important to the league.

Rio Ferdinand is up there in this category, but his team have been relegated now. It is genuinely sad to think that a player of his calibre is now no longer in the top flight, but when he signed for QPR, what did he expect? They were relegation candidates from the get go; they always are. They constantly struggle within the Premiership and never seem to learn their lessons from previous campaigns. They absolutely deserve to be playing Championship football next season, but sadly they’re taking Rio with them.

Frank Lampard was one of the greats, but he will be off playing in the MLS at the end of the season. Lampard extended his stay in the Premier League through a loan deal at Manchester City, NYCFC’s sister club. And with that, he burned all his bridges (no pun intended) with Chelsea. So he is yet another to have left the Premiership behind.

There are plenty of great players in the league, who will arguably go down in history but cannot be considered a ‘Premier League great.’ Such as Wayne Rooney, for example. We cannot hand him this accolade, I feel, as he is still under 30. But that is in no way undermining his incredible talent and everything he has achieved thus far. He is of a newer generation, who is ultimately replacing the greats of the league.

We are lucky to have witnessed such a magnificent footballing era, but it is evident it is coming to an end. Will there ever be another like it?

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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho this week accused his title rivals of trying to buy the Premier League. The man is no stranger to playing mind games with his fellow managers, though his apparent frustration in the transfer market so far this summer raises some interesting questions. Those who joined him in the top four last season appear to have improved their teams, and each manager has a shed load of title winning experience. Could this be the most exciting season yet?

What a difference a year makes. After Manchester City reclaimed their throne in 2014, it was Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea who appeared to emerge as early favourites after some typically astute signings rectified the problems they suffered in the season before. Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas arrived, along with Filipe Luis, and Thibaut Courtois finally returned from his loan spell. The Blues looked to be the strongest side in the league, a mantle to which they lived up to.

However, a year on – Chelsea do not look as strong. Radamel Falcao and Asmir Begovic have arrived in West London, with Everton defender John Stones reported to be the next through the door. Though top quality players and the envy of many other outfits, they appear to have been brought to the club as squad options. We can obviously expect the defending champions to challenge for top spot, but their lack of activity in the market raises some interesting questions. It is important never to write off the scheming Portuguese gaffer, but have Chelsea allowed their rivals to close the gap? Could this season finally see a four horse race?

Manchester City are eager to reclaim a title they have won twice in three years. A blockbuster move has seen England winger and the 2014 incumbent of the prestigious Europe’s Golden Boy award, Raheem Sterling, arrive at the Etihad. The former Liverpool man lines up with Sergio Aguero and David Silva, in perhaps the most exciting front line in the league. It would seem silly to suggest that after last season’s showing that City are now on the same level as their London rivals, but we must remember they won the league in 2014.

Should manager Manuel Pellegrini be able to coax captain Vincent Kompany and midfield man Yaya Toure back to their stunning best, the 2014 title winners have perhaps the strongest spine in the league. Sterling adds an injection of pace and unpredictably to a front line boasting the guile of Silva and last season’s top scorer Aguero. City can edge ever closer to top spot, it seems.

Chelsea legend Petr Cech has move across London to Arsenal in another blockbuster deal. Much has been made of the move, with Arsenal now significantly strengthened between the sticks. Even Blues captain John Terry has waxed lyrical over the importance of his former team-mate, believing he could save them ’12-15 points’. The Gunners may still lack a world-class centre forward, but Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil top the list in a midfield brimming with quality.

Olivier Giroud is a good striker, and Theo Walcott’s transition to an out and out forward may well have a profound impact a side who have struggled to seriously maintain a title challenge. The core of Arsenal’s squad has been growing together since 2012, and now looks to be a very well-oiled machine. With time still available to Arsene Wenger in the transfer window, the FA Cup Champions could be ready to arise as league victors.

Now we have Manchester United. So much has been written about the side over the past two years, but this team appears to be pulling out of the post-Sir Alex transition. In Louis van Gaal they have a manager who has won titles wherever he has been, and their activity in the market this summer has been excellent. With big deals still on the horizon, Red Devils fans can be quietly optimistic about their title chances. It may seem like a rather big leap, but the money the club have spent and Van Gaal’s experience should surely count for something. Should a title victory prove to be a step too far, they will at least be far more of a threat than last year.

In Wayne Rooney they possess a centre-forward of a quality much higher than Arsenal’s. Diego Costa and Sergio Aguero were excellent last year, but both are injury prone and both Chelsea and City’s back up options are a major step down. England captain Rooney is nowhere near as injury prone as his golden boot rivals, and can largely be relied upon for a whole season.

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Chelsea may well defend their title this year, they have the resources to do so. However, their lack of activity in the transfer window has allowed their would-be challengers to close the gap. For the first time in years, four sides have a feasible chance of winning the top prize in English football. This could be the best season yet.

According to reports in the printed version of Wednesday’s edition of The Sun (page 62), Crystal Palace are ready to make a £5m January move for Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, who is currently on a season-long loan deal with Championship high-flyers Aston Villa.

The Sun says that Roy Hodgson is keen to make a move for the impressive 24-year-old stopper in the New Year, with the report adding that even though he is due to stay at Villa Park until May, the Red Devils inserted a clause in the deal which allows him to be recalled and then sold on next month.

The south London outfit have recovered from losing their opening seven Premier League matches this term to not only move off of the bottom of the table, but also out of the relegation zone and up to 14th position.

With Julian Speroni and Wayne Hennessey as his only two options, it is an area that Hodgson is obviously keen to sort sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, Johnstone returned to Villa Park on loan during the summer following a successful similar spell last term, and he has kept 17 clean sheets in 44 appearances for the Midlands outfit in all competitions.

Villa’s financial difficulties may mean they can’t afford to compete for the permanent addition of Johnstone in January though, and if the Eagles do bring him to Selhurst Park then Steve Bruce may be making a shrewd move by getting Hennessey in his place.

Here are three reasons why Villa should sign the Welshman if Palace win the race for the 24-year-old…

Experience

While Steve Bruce and the Aston Villa supporters would be gutted to lose Sam Johnstone elsewhere, they would certainly be pleased if they could bring in someone with Hennessey’s experience as the 24-year-old’s replacement, adding to a backline that already includes the likes of John Terry and Wales international James Chester.

The Welsh goalkeeper has 142 Premier League appearances to his name, while he also has 73 caps for his country and was part of the team that reached the semi-finals of the 2016 European Championships.

While he has sometimes struggled for form and confidence during his time with Palace, perhaps the 30-year-old stopper is in need of a new start and environment and that would be the case at Villa Park.

Presence

Standing at 6ft 6in tall, there is no doubt that Hennessey can be a big presence between the sticks for Aston Villa in the Championship.

The Welshman not only has the ability to make himself big when he is facing strikers, but he will also have a decent command of his penalty area – something that is important because of the physical nature of England’s second tier.

According to WhoScored.com, two of the main strengths of his game are also his concentration and his distribution, which could be key for Villa as they aim for promotion this season.

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Price tag

Hennessey’s Crystal Palace contract is due to run out next summer and with no sign that he will be offered a new one as of yet, he could be available for a loan deal or even for a cut-price fee during the January transfer window should the Eagles buy Johnstone.

That is something that will appeal to Steve Bruce given that he is likely to have little to spend in the New Year as the Midlands outfit look to avoid any financial sanctions, and a loan deal until the end of the season when they can then choose whether they sign the 30-year-old on a free or not would probably be the best option for them.

Do you agree, Villa fans? Let us know below.

Manchester United suffered a humiliating defeat on Wednesday night when they were stunned by Bristol City in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.

The Championship outfit headed into the clash on a four-game winning run and they managed to hold their own against Jose Mourinho’s side.

The deadlock was eventually broken at Ashton Gate, with Joe Bryan nudging the Robins ahead, but for less than 10 minutes as Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his first competitive goal of the season.

Many would have backed the Red Devils to push on and nab a winner, but it was Lee Johnson’s side who sealed victory.

Korey Smith made it 2-1 and sent Bristol City into the semi-finals of the competition thanks to a 93rd-minute goal.

Ray Wilkins, who spent five years playing for United during his career, believes that Mourinho’s side now only have one realistic chance of winning silverware this season.

United are fighting on three fronts in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, but Wilkins thinks that the North-West outfit are only capable of being victorious in one competition.

The 61-year-old told talkSPORT:

“As far as I’m concerned, the Premier League is done. United had the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Champions League, and you’d have to say the Champions League is a bit of a distance away at the moment. So, for me, it’s the FA Cup they’ve got to go all out for now.”

United are currently 11 points adrift of neighbours Manchester City in the title race.

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In most cases, second-string strikers are keen to dislodge the leader of the pack in order to steal their spot.

However, on this occasion, Heung-min Son has suggested that he has no intention of knocking Harry Kane off his perch at Tottenham Hotspur.

The hitman had a record-breaking 2017 as he finished the calendar year as Europe’s top scorer with 56 goals – more than the likes of regular Ballon d’Or winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

At the weekend, Kane wrote another line in the history books as he surpassed Teddy Sheringham’s Spurs record of 97 Premier League goals.

Kane reached the feat by netting twice in a comfortable 4-0 win over Everton at Wembley on Saturday in the late kickoff.

Son also contributed to the scoresheet as he netted his fifth in a row on home soil and his 11th in all competitions.

Not only did he find the back of the net, the South Korean set up the first of Kane’s goals and played a part in the build up to Christian Eriksen’s successful hit.

While Son has admitted that he is happy to be performing well up front, he has no plans to try to snatch the first-choice position from Kane.

In fact, the forward is delighted to see his teammate thriving this season.

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The Daily Star quotes Son as saying:

“I really enjoy Harry scoring goals as that is also good for the team. When I play with him and the team, he beats every record and we are part of this. I am happy to help him. It’s nice to have some record myself and I really enjoy it.

“But I am not selfish or just thinking about myself. I am really happy for Harry. I just want Harry to beat every record for England and the Premier League. The most important thing about our partnership is that it works really well and I want to take this one or two more steps and keep it going.”

Southampton have successfully negotiated another round of the FA Cup after defeating Watford 1-0 at St Mary’s on Saturday.

The cup has offered welcome respite from the club’s woes in the English Premier League, where they haven’t won a match since November.

Supporters can be happy with progression to the fifth round and had Jack Stephens to thank for the victory, who netted from close range just four minutes into the match.

However, manager Mauricio Pellegrino didn’t escape criticism with many supporters angry at a second half substitution that allowed Watford back into the game.

The impressive Sofiane Boufal was taken off midway through the second half for defender Maya Yoshida, inviting pressure onto the Saints in the final portion of the game.

Fans couldn’t understand the decision, with some even suggesting that the team won despite their manager, rather than because of him.

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They took to Twitter to share their thoughts…

James Collins might not have expected to see too much Premier League football at West Ham United this season, but the centre-back has made 10 league appearances during the 2017-18 season.

The 34-year-old has actually started and indeed finished West Ham’s last five Premier League matches, and the Hammers have only lost once during that run.

Collins is currently in his second spell with West Ham, and he is closing on 150 appearances for the London club since returning from Aston Villa in the summer of 2012.

The centre-back’s current deal with West Ham will expire at the end of the season, however, and there have not yet been any talks regarding an extension.

Collins, who appeared 51 times for Wales between 2004 and 2017, is desperate to sign a new contract at the London Stadium.

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The West Ham fans are also extremely keen for an extension to be agreed, but it remains to be seen whether the club come up with an offer in the next few months.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be found below:

Rangers confirmed on Wednesday that they have signed 18-year-old winger Glenn Middleton from Norwich City on a two-and-a-half year deal until May 2020.

He’s just the latest signing in a busy January transfer window for the Ibrox club that has left supporters delighted.

Given his age and lack of senior football, he will initially join up with the Light Blues’ development squad but that hasn’t stopped fans getting excited at his potential already.

With seven Scotland U19 caps, he’s tipped to have a bright future in the game and has directly contributed to five goals for Norwich’s U23s side this season where wingers like Jacob and Josh Murphy have made their name in recent years.

Fans who have seen him in action were quick to praise the club for the signing, believing he has the skills required to make a big impact at Ibrox over the coming months and years.

Others are just happy to see the club secure a promising young Scottish player who supports the club.

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Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts…

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