Mackems - Celebration Time

bennythedip2 · #1 May 11th, 2016, 22:06

Sunderland stay in Premier League -

(May 11 2016)

A review of Wednesday night's action in the Barclays Premier League.

Sunderland completed another improbable Barclays Premier League survival mission and relegated north-east rivals Newcastle in the process after cruising to a 3-0 victory over woeful Everton at the Stadium of Light.

Two goals from Lamine Kone followed a Patrick Van Aanholt free-kick as the hosts sealed survival with a game to spare - an achievement lent extra sweetness for the celebrating home fans by the fact it consigned the Magpies, as well as Norwich, to the Sky Bet Championship.

From looking down and out after losing five straight league games at the end of 2015, the Sam Allardyce-inspired drive to safety was made to seem strangely comfortable by another simply abject performance from Roberto Martinez's visitors.

Apart from two half-hearted efforts from right-back Matthew Pennington, one of the few Toffees players to emerge with any credit, the visitors' lackadaisical approach earned few rewards and cast further doubt over their manager's future.

Barclays Prem

1 Leicester 80
2 Tottenham 70
3 Arsenal 68
4 Man City 65
5 Man Utd 63
6 West Ham 62
7 So'ton 60
8 Liverpool 59
9 Chelsea 49
10 Stoke 48
11 Swansea 46
12 Everton 44
13 Watford 44
14 C Palace 42
15 W Brom 42
16 B'mouth 42
17 S'land 38
18 Newcastle 34
19 Norwich 34
20 A Villa 17

last updated 11/05 21:54

From the moment Van Aanholt's 38th minute free-kick left Joel Robles strangely rooted to his spot, the Black Cats' mission seemed accomplished, Kone volleying the second just four minutes later before his close-range strike in the second half sealed the deal.

Norwich were relegated from the Premier League despite Nathan Redmond inspiring a 4-2 win over Watford at Carrow Road.

The Canaries ended a four-match scoreless run with goals from Redmond, Dieumerci Mbokani - who scored twice - and a Craig Cathcart own goal.

But it was too little, too late. Sunderland's victory over Everton rendered the Canaries' ninth win of the season - and third in 17 games - irrelevant.

Watford scored early goals in either half, with Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo on target.

The Hornets and Bournemouth were promoted alongside Norwich last season and they survive. Norwich are down.

Liverpool striker Christian Benteke snatched an added-time equaliser as Jurgen Klopp's managerial magic continued at Anfield with a late 1-1 draw against Chelsea.

Having inspired comebacks against Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal in recent weeks, the German achieved it again as one substitute Sheyi Ojo crossed for another to nod home in the second minute of added time.

Up to that point the visitors appeared set to register their third successive Anfield victory as a rejuvenated Eden Hazard scored his fourth goal in as many matches.