Premier League Preview: Sunderland

Last Season: 14th

Pre-Season Prediction: 13th - After a late surge last season to survive the drop, expect stability to reign at Sunderland this year as they finish fairly comfortably above the drop.

Last season saw the Black Cats pull off the impossible. With six games to go, Gus Poyet's side were seven point adrift of safety and more or less down and out for the count after just two points from nine matches. Suddenly a run of four consecutive victories including defeats of Chelsea and Manchester United saw Sunderland safe for another year with a game left to play. This tumultuous period of up-and-down was symbolic of a season lacking any sort of stability. Di Canio was sent his marching orders early on and, despite his best efforts, it really did not look like Poyet was going down. They survive though, and attention must be turned to the coming season.

The squad has been heavily reshaped over the summer, with the loss of a number of key players including Phil Bardsley, Jack Colback and Craig Gardner. That said, Poyet has invested, bringing in Patrick Van Aanholt and Billy Jones to bolster an ageing back-line, whilst Costel Pantilimon will provide Vito Mannone with some quality competition. It is in midfield though where the best signings arrive in the form of Will Buckley, Jack Rodwell and Jordi Gomez. Gomez and Buckley both had outstanding seasons for Wigan and Brighton respectively whilst Jack Rodwell will be keen to get his career back on track after a two year period warming the bench at Manchester City.

That said, there are still issues with the squad that need to be addressed. Whilst Brown and O'Shea at centre-back are an experienced pair, neither are getting any younger and Poyet needs to address this with a quality young centre-back as a long-term investment. One of his biggest tasks will be to ward off the vultures that are slowly circling to take Connor Wickham away from the Stadium of Light. Wickham went on a superb goal-scoring run during their survival run and, if he can carry that form into this season, may be a 15-goal man, something Sunderland desperately need.

His pre-season form would certainly suggest that he might after netting three times, including against Real Betis and Udinese. Sunderland's form in friendlies has certainly reinforced the feeling that Poyet is very much getting to grips with his side as they won six of their eight fixtures. As well as goals from Wickham, Steven Fletcher also bagged himself three goals which will provide a major boost after the talented striker missed large portions of last season through injury. After conceding 60 goals in the league last year, Poyet will be delighted that his side conceded just two goals in these eight matches.

So what should we expect from Sunderland this year? All the arrows seem to be pointing towards a more stable season for the Black Cats as Poyet, as least for now, seems to be in it for the long haul. He is shaping the squad to suit his passing style as epitomised by the signings of Jordi Gomez and his taking over of the Academy as well will ensure that the youth ranks are brought up with this mentality as well. With a more assured defensive line and, currently, the fitness of both Fletcher and Wickham, Sunderland are looking well on top of ensuring they remain well clear of the drop zone.

Key Man: Vito Mannone - Despite the reinforced back-line, last years Player of the Year will still be a busy boy in the Sunderland goal. Mannone had a marvelous debut season at the Stadium of Light after keeping eleven clean sheets in the League and putting in a number of assured performances. The Italian will have received a confidence boost  last year after a rocky career at Arsenal and will carry that into this season as he seeks to become one of the League's more established goalkeepers.

One to Watch: Connor Wickham - Wickham ensured he became something of a short-term cult hero after his late goal flurry more-or-less single handedly kept Sunderland in the top flight last year. After spending much of the season on loan at both Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds, Poyet will be desperate to keep hold of the much-courted English striker this year as he searched for a powerful potent striker to lead the line. If, and it's a big if, Wickham stays then he could become instrumental for Poyet's team.

Best Summer Signing: Jack Rodwell - Rodwell has become another promising Brit to fall into the 'wasted talent' category after disappearing into the shadows of the Etihad Stadium following a hugely disappointing couple of seasons languishing on the bench. Rodwell's move to Sunderland gives him a chance to rekindle career and hopefully the 23-year-old will find the motivation to really press-on and remind people why he was once touted as the next-best-thing to happen to English football. Over to you Mr Rodwell. Prove Manchester City wrong.

Carroll Inspires Narrow West Ham Victory

Sunderland's winless run extended to six games in the Premier League this evening as they lost 2-1 to a dogged West Ham United. 

The hammers scored early in both halves through Andy Carroll and Mohamed Diame before a superb consolation from substitute Adam Johnson.

The game started slowly with Sunderland predominantly on top before Andy Carroll scored the game's opening goal, the big striker capitalizing on an excellent delivery from a Mark Noble corner to aim a powerful header at goal from close-range. Mannone got a hand to it but the power of the ex-Newcastle man's header proved too much.

Lee Cattermole had a chance to equalise just moments later, finding plenty of space at the far post after a cross from Ki but firing a tame left-footed shot towards the feet of Adrian. Sunderland should certainly have had a penalty towards the end of the first half as Kevin Nolan clearly connected with the ball using his elbow, however referee Howard Webb missed the incident.

The Black Cats emerged after the break exactly as they had ended it, on the attack. An early Borini cross flashed across the face of goal with no one at the far post to tap in.

Against the run of play West Ham managed to double their advantage, a long ball pumped forward towards Andy Carroll who turned from goalscorer to provider. The ball fell into the path of Diame whose first time shot took a deflection as it rolled into the bottom corner.

Once again Sunderland quickly retaliated, a cross-field ball miss-controlled by Phil Bardsley as he ran through on goal. Moments later a first time volley from around 20 yards out flew narrowly wide of the far post. A mix up between Adrian and Carroll from a corner nearly resulted in a comedy own-goal but the Spaniard was quick to jump on the loose ball.

Sunderland's relentless pressure continued as Fabio Borini slammed a left-footed drive into the side-netting.
Stewart Downing could have put the game beyond reach just before the hour mark as he had a one-on-one fantastically saved low to Vito Mannone's right hand side.

Eventually Sunderland's pressing play paid off as just after the hour mark Adam Johnson scored a marvellous curling effort from the edge of the box, placing the ball far out of Adrian's reach to claw back one goal. Suddenly Sunderland were in full flow, a testing drive from  Ki not held by Adrian who just managed to recover to make a superb second save from Connor Wickham.

West Ham dropped deeper and deeper as the game approached the closing minutes, Matty Taylor forced to concede a corner following a dangerous floating ball from Adam Johnson. Johnson then found Marcos Alonso from the resulting corner, the wing-ball drilling his shot over the bar.

Mannone found himself spending more of stoppage time in the West Ham penalty area than his own as Sunderland had a host of corners deep into the game. Adam Johnson had one final chance in the dying seconds, however the West Ham defensive line held firm as they recorded their second consecutive victory after the weekends 2-1 victory against Hull.

Victory for Sam Allardyce's men sees them remain in 11th as they move onto 37 points, eleven points above the relegation zone and all-but safe with six games remaining. Defeat for the Black Cats leaves Gus Poyet's team four points adrift of safety and staring at Championship football next season.

Sunderland Beat Wasteful Chelsea in Extra-Time

Sunderland produced a shock in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup as they battled to a 2-1 victory against Chelsea in extra-time.

Ki celebrates his extra-time winner

Chelsea were dominant throughout much of the game, taking the lead straight after the interval courtesy of a Lee Cattermole own-goal. However, Fabio Borini struck late to take Poyet's team to extra-time. The late goal gave Sunderland a second wind, and they dominated the second half of extra-time, scoring the eventual winner through Ki Sung-Yueng with only minutes remaining.

It was a quiet first half at the Stadium of Light as both teams failed to create any clear-cut chances. Chelsea were on top for large portions but lacked penetration in the final third whilst up the other end, Sunderland had a penalty shout correctly turned down for a handball against Azpilicueta, after a Dossena cross struck him on the armpit from only a matter of feet away.

The second half started in disaster for Sunderland as Cattermole scored an own goal just 40 seconds after the restart, referee Anthony Taylor having to refer to Hawk-Eye to confirm that the ball had indeed crossed the line. The ball was bundled over by Lampard and Cattermole together after an excellent ball from Azpilicueta on the right hand side.

Mannone claws at the Cattermole own-goal

Sunderland didn't look like responding as Eto'o turned a chance narrowly around the post before having a shot deflected into the side netting. Du Bruyne also had a shot beaten away by Mannone after Lampard knicked the ball from Larsson. Only moments later Lampard struck a shot narrowly over the bar as Chelsea piled on the pressure.

A break in play resulting from an Azpilicueta injury and a pitch invader sparked life into Sunderland, with Cattermole testing the Chelsea goalkeeper with a fierce drive from outside the box. Yet Chelsea remained on top with Shurrle having a shot well parried by Mannone and substitute Ba volleying narrowly wide.

With only two minutes of normal time remaining Sunderland made Chelsea pay for not converting their chances, as Fabio Borini pounced on a loose ball to equalise for the Black Cats. After Schwarzer took the ball away from Altidore in the box, Borini struck from a tight angle, leaving Mourinho furious on the
touchline.

Borini capitalises on the loose ball to equalise

Cahill prevented Borini from grabbing a second in stoppage time with a fantastic last ditch tackle after Giaccherini played him through on goal, forcing the game into extra time.

Luiz had a shot blocked on the line by Mannone and Borini mishit a volley wide of the far post as both teams looked to win it in extra-time. A dangerous Larsson free-kick had to be cleared twice by Chelsea as the free-kick and follow up from Ki both went close. The best save was still to come, as Schwarzer produced a fantastic diving save to prevent Ki from scoring a free header inside the box.

Sunderland's relentless pressure in extra-time paid off as they struck with two minutes to go for the second time in the match, this time for the winner. A cross from the right was brought down well by Borini before laying the ball off to Ki who finished well into the bottom left corner.

The win takes Sunderland through to the semi-finals of the tournament which they have never won. Poyet will now turn his attention to the must win game against Norwich as they seek to move out of the relegation zone. Mourinho will be furious with his team, who had numerous chances to finish the game off in normal time, but perhaps had one eye on this weekend's clash with league leaders Arsenal.

In the other Capital One quarter-final match, Manchester City overran a plucky Leicester City side 3-1 to progress to the semi-finals.

Premier League Preview: Sunderland

Sunderland are no doubt in for an eventful season with the charismatic Paolo Di Canio in charge but I don't think that makes them safe. Under Di Canio their form was largely hit and miss last year so it will be interesting to see if he has stabilised the squad over the summer.

Somehow, with ten new signings and eleven players leaving I doubt Sunderland will have a whole lot of stability for the opening of the season. A lot of relatively unknown players have been signed but there are also a number of strong signings, in particular Jozy Altidore and Emanuele Giaccherini are strong signings. However, Simon Mignolet will be a huge loss to the side and they will most likely concede more goals this year.

I think Sunderland will start slowly due to the massive squad overhall this summer. However, with Di Canio at the helm expect some big giant killing results. You can be guaranteed that Sunderland will be all over the newspapers with all of his antics but it will be results on the pitch which are important. I think Sunderland will just about survive but it'll be by a pretty fine line.

Key Man: Stephane Sessegnon - Sessegnon was slightly off-par last season but is still instrumental in the Sunderland line-up. His quick feet and trickery make him a nightmare for defences, especially playing just behind the striker. He is a handy playmaker to have, especially with Steven Fletcher as a front man and, should he hit some form, will be a great player in the team.

One to Watch: Jozy Altidore - Signed from AZ and 4th highest goalscorer in the Eredivisie last year. He had a disappointing loan spell at Hill a few years ago but since then has upped his game, scoring regularly for AZ. With Altidore back in England after a good few years abroad, can he raise his game and make an impact in the Premier League.

Best Summer Signing: Emanuele Giaccherini - What a coup this is for Sunderland. Signed from Juventus and with fifteen Italy caps his career highlight was probably scoring an international goal against Brazil in this years Confederations Cup. A tricky playmaker, who can play on the wing or behind the striker, Giaccherini will be a handful for defenders.

Last Season: 17th

Pre-Season Prediction: 16th - The unpredictability of Di Canio means anything could happen this year.