Big Sam: We will survive ...and thrive
SAM ALLARDYCE believes his CRYSTAL PALACE players have now got the survival message after hauling themselves out of the relegation zone.
Patrick van Aanholt’s first-half goal was enough to secure a 1-0 win over relegation rivals MIDDLESBROUGH.
And Allardyce, who had criticised the attitude of some Palace players, hailed the result as a potential turning point.
“We had a two-week break and that worked in our favour,” he said.
“It gave the players a lot of time as well as a lot of good training for the new ones to mix with the lads and build some spirit.
“I think the players made the right decisions more than they have done in any game since I have been here.’’
David Moyes said he will call on the spirit of SUNDERLAND’S previous lastgasp relegation escapes to maintain their Premier League future this time around.
The Black Cats find themselves in familiar territory, propping up the rest of the league with 12 games to go.
Yesterday Moyes returned to former club EVERTON and suffered a 2-0 defeat, meaning they have won just one of their last nine league games.
He insisted: “Today’s game was always going to be a tough one. But we’ve got 12 games to go. We are not that far away.
“Sunderland have been in this position quite regularly so we have to use that experience.”
HULL manager Marco Silva was left to rue a missed opportunity after BURNLEY’S late equaliser prevented his team climbing out of the relegation zone.
Tom Huddlestone fired Hull into a lead from the penalty spot following a Michael Keane hand ball, only for Keane to redeem himself with a 75th-minute leveller.
“Am I happy with a point? Of course not because when you prepare the team to win you want more,” Silva said.
Tony Pulis does not want WEST BROM to get complacent after reaching the 40-point mark. Albion are flying high in eighth place after a 2-1 win over BOURNEMOUTH thanks to goals from Craig Dawson and Gareth McAuley.
“I want a performance now every week and to make sure we play football,” Pulis said. “We played it through the pitch again today with purpose – not backwards, square or sideways. But we need to be more clinical in the final third.”