Ronaldo deal sealed

Real Madrid and Manchester United have finalised an agreement for the £80million transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Spanish club.

United confirmed earlier this month they had accepted a world-record £80million bid from the Primera Division side.

A statement on Madrid's website, www.realmadrid.com, on Friday evening read: "Real Madrid and Manchester United have signed a final agreement for the transfer of the rights of Cristiano Ronaldo from July 1. The player will be tied to Real Madrid for the next six seasons and will be presented on July 6 at the Santiago Bernabeu."
The Portugal superstar came close to joining Madrid last summer before Sir Alex Ferguson convinced him to stay at Old Trafford.

But Ramon Calderon, who was president of Madrid at the time, claimed this month a "gentleman's agreement" existed over the signing before he left the Spanish giants in January.

Nevertheless, Ronaldo becomes the latest signing in Florentino Perez's Madrid revolution.

Perez, who was responsible for bringing the likes of Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Luis Figo to the Bernabeu in his first stint as president, has already taken Brazil star Kaka from AC Milan and Spain international Raul Albiol from Valencia.

England in final after shoot-out win

Stuart Pearce ended England's semi-final spot-kick hoodoo as his under-21s defeated Sweden 5-4 on penalties after extra-time - following a 3-3 draw - to reach the European Under-21 Championship final.

Pearce lost at the last-four stage twice as a player and as a coach two years ago - but it looked like his youngsters would cruise to victory in Gothenburg after leading at half-time through Martin Cranie, Nedum Onuoha and Mattias Bjarsmyr's own goal.

The Swedes then staged a stunning revival at Gamla Ullevi and levelled through two goals from Marcus Berg and another from Ola Toivonen before Fraizer Campbell was sent off for England in extra-time.
Goalkeeper Joe Hart was booked to rule him out of the final but also scored one and saved one, sending England through.

It was James Milner who took the corner that saw England lead after just 53 seconds. Micah Richards jumped for the ball initially but it found its way to Cranie, who took a touch with his chest before volleying home with the help of Gabriel Agbonlahor jumping over the ball in front of Sweden goalkeeper Johan Dahlin.

While Bjarsmyr was being treated off the field, England grabbed the second. It was a Milner corner again, with Onuoha this time allowed to take a touch close to the six-yard area, turn Rasmus Bengtsson and fire into the bottom corner.

It got worse for Bjarsmyr before the break when he tried to clear Lee Cattermole's header from Theo Walcott's cross but sliced into his own net.

The Swedes eventually forced their way into the game and Berg gave Sweden a glimmer of hope with 22 minutes remaining when he turned in Guillermo Molins' cross.

Jack Rodwell came on for Mark Noble to shore up the midfield, but Toivonen found the net from a free-kick to give the Swedes real hope, then the equaliser came with nine minutes left. Molins crossed from the right again, Rasmus Elm flicked backwards at the far post, with Berg applying the final touch.

Campbell received his second booking of the match during extra-time when he challenged with Mikael Lustig, and he had stormed off the pitch even before the red card had been shown.

Liverpool star Gerrard: I could retire in four years

Steven Gerrard has said he could retire from football in four years time when his Anfield contract expires.

The Liverpool captain's contract runs out in 2013 and he admits will be tempted to call it a day and complete his career as a one-club man. Gerrard also revealed how close he came to joining Chelsea in 2005.

I will be 33 at the end of my contract in 2013 and I don't know if I will go any further,' Gerrard told France Football.

'If I do retire, then I will know that from the start to the end of my career I only had one club. And I don't want to think about wearing any other shirt in the future.

'I was close to leaving in the past, maybe twice, most notably in 2005. That year we (Liverpool) were a long way off the Premier League title and Chelsea's interest turned my head.

'It was a difficult moment for me. However, now when I look back I am very happy that I chose to stay here. It has given me real pride.'

Shearer could be Newcastle boss in days

Alan Shearer could be installed as Newcastle manager before a takeover is completed.

Managing director Derek Llambias has revealed that the 38-year-old could be appointed within days provided that the groups currently engaged in the bidding process for the club all agree they want him as boss.

Interested parties who have proved they have the finance to push a deal through will be able to study the club's books from tomorrow, when an on-line 'data room' opens.
Although a successful buy-out could then still be some weeks away as they carry out due diligence, Shearer could be put in place to belatedly start the business of preparing for the new season.

Llambias told the Journal: 'There could be some movement regarding Alan Shearer at the end of this week or early next week.

'The data room will be open on Wednesday, which will allow the groups who have proved they have the money to buy the club to look at the books.

'Nobody has been able to do that yet because the data room hasn't been opened.

'We will not be making any decision on Alan as manager - that is not up to us, that is down to the groups who are buying the club.

'If they want to appoint him, then it's up to them. We will speak to them about it. If they do want Alan, then something could be done in the next few days.

'That's where we are at this stage and everything is ongoing.

New contract for Torres

Liverpool have rewarded Fernando Torres with a new contract that will keep him at Anfield until at least 2013.

Although the Spain striker still had four years remaining on his original six-year contract, Liverpool have offered him improved terms and added an option to take the deal through to 2014.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: "Fernando is one of the best strikers in the game today and, at his age, can only get better." He added: "Every major side would want him in their team, but he has shown how much he wants to achieve success at Liverpool by committing his future to the club.

"He's a special talent but still has the hunger to improve his game."

Benitez is looking to secure the futures of his key players after watching them push Manchester United all the way in the title race this season before settling for second place.

Dirk Kuyt, Daniel Agger, Steven Gerrard and Benitez himself have already signed new contracts in the last two months.

"We've made huge progress this season and now we need to take the next step," Benitez added on the club's website.

"We are building something special here and securing such important players on long-term deals means we can move forward with confidence. This sends out a very positive message to everyone connected with the club."

Your chance to lift the FA Cup

Fancy lifting the FA Cup this Saturday? We've teamed up with E.ON, sponsors of the FA Cup to give millions of fans the chance to do just that from the confort of their own home.

Using the latest digital technology - called Augmented Reality - the first ever virtual FA Cup has been created.

John Terry or Phil Neville will need to climb 107 stairs up to the Royal Box at Wembley to lift the famous trophy, but fans everywhere can get their hands on it for free from the comfort of their living room in just a few easy steps.
Once downloaded, fans can also record themselves within a mini post-match interview introduced by ITV football commentator, Clive Tyldsley, which can be sent to family and friends via email.

For the first time in the 128-year history of The FA Cup, an online version of match day programme is also available online in advance of Saturday's match between Chelsea and Everton so fans not lucky enough to be at Wembley won't be denied an essential part of the match day experience.

And to help provide the complete Wembley experience - the online programme (or i-mag) comes complete with the words to the FA Cup hymn 'Abide with Me' - sung at every Final since 1927.

Ferguson slams defensive display

Sir Alex Ferguson tore into his defenders after Manchester United had thrown away the chance of making history at the Stadio Olimpico.

Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi scored the goals which gave Barcelona a 2-0 victory, denying United the honour of becoming the first club to retain the Champions League. And while Ferguson did not name the culprits he clearly had Nemanja Vidic in mind when he described United's defending for Eto'o's first goal as "shoddy."

"In our best performances this season we have defended very well, but the defending was shoddy," said Ferguson. "The first goal didn't help. It gave them the opportunity to keep possession. We didn't plan to lose a goal early and we didn't deal with it well enough. That was the story. To lose a goal like that was a bad goal. It was a disappointing performance and some individuals will feel it themselves."

United were hoping to become the first club successfully to defend the trophy in its current format.

But while Ferguson threw on Carlos Tevez for Anderson and Dimitar Berbatov for Park Ji-Sung in a bid to turn around the match in the second-half the United boss was outfoxed tactically by Josep Guardiola.

The Barcelona coach withdrew Messi from his wide berth up front to reinforce midfield and it gave the Spaniards dominance.

It could have been more embarrassing for United as Xavi Hernandez struck a post and Thierry Henry and Carles Puyol brought fine saves from Edwin Van der Sar in a pulsating second half.

Ferguson said: "The disappointment was the use of the ball when we got possession. You have to wait minutes to get it back off them. Could be it was an off night. Could be it was a mountain too big to climb.

"We knew what a good football team they were. We had difficulty in defending against them. Messi dropped into midfield and they kept possession and made it difficult for us."

Pietersen blow for England

Kevin Pietersen has been ruled out of England's three-match NatWest one-day international series against the West Indies after sustaining an Achilles problem.

England's best batsman suffered the injury during the second Test victory at Chester-le-Street and was ruled out of the remainder of the series after training on Wednesday, just 24 hours before the opening match at Headingley.

The injury gives Pietersen just two weeks to recover before the start of England's ICC World Twenty20 campaign, which has already been undermined with all-rounder Andrew Flintoff struggling to recover from a recent knee operation in time for the start of the tournament. Pietersen will undertake a period of rest and treatment on the right Achilles injury, but England are hopeful he will recover to play a full part in their World Twenty20 campaign.

Nick Peirce, the England and Wales Cricket Board's chief medical officer, explained: "The injury would not necessarily prevent him from playing.

"But by giving him a precautionary period of time out to receive some concentrated treatment and rest we are enabling the niggle to settle down in preparation for the ICC World Twenty20 and the Ashes.

"This is not an injury that would preclude him from participating in either event."

Pietersen, who has not missed a one-day international for England since suffering a rib injury in Australia two years ago, confirmed: "The medical advice is to rest the Achilles.

"Although I'm frustrated to be leaving a happy and successful dressing room, I'm absolutely confident this will help me overcome what has up until now been a minor ongoing injury."

Shakhtar claim UEFA Cup triumph

Shakhtar Donetsk became the last winners of the UEFA Cup by claiming a 2-1 extra-time victory over Werder Bremen in the final in Istanbul.

Mircea Lucescu's team also became the first Ukrainian side to win a European trophy thanks to Jadson's winner in extra-time.

The final - the last to be played before the competition is rebranded as the Europa League next season - finished all square on 90 minutes after Naldo had equalised Luiz Adriano's opener. The Ukrainians should have gone ahead in the fifth minute when Luiz Adriano was allowed the time and space to turn on the edge of the box, but he fired just wide with the goal gaping.

He was almost made to pay for his profligacy a minute later as Shakhtar failed to clear Sebastian Boenisch's long throw, but Frank Baumann miscued his effort and on 24 minutes the Brazilian striker made amends - seizing on a through-ball that had wrong-footed the Bremen defence and lifting a sumptuous chip over onrushing Werder goalkeeper Tim Wiese.

But just as Shakhtar were threatening to extend their advantage, Bremen hit back in thunderous fashion through their own Brazilian, Naldo stepping up in the 34th minute to hammer a free-kick at Andrei Pyatov with such ferocity that the goalkeeper could only help it on its way into the net.

At the other end Wiese looked far more assured in denying Mariusz Lewandowski's powerful strike and the teams went in level at the end of an absorbing first half.

Wiese was back in action soon after the restart, doing well to punch away Darijo Srna's free-kick from the right and Jadson's strike from the left.

With the game petering out extra-time looked increasingly likely and once it got under way, it was almost inevitable that it would be an error that would finally settle the issue.

Less predictable was that Wiese would be the culprit, horribly misjudging Jadson's soft shot from 12 yards and undoing all his good work through the night by letting it bobble past him into the net.

Scotland job appeals to Moyes

Everton manager David Moyes admits that one day he would like to be manager of Scotland, but that the England job would never be a consideration.

The Everton manager is finding himself linked with big jobs now he has guided the Toffees to the FA Cup final against Chelsea on May 30.

And his chairman Bill Kenwright says he could "manage Barcelona, no problem. But he's not going anywhere." But Moyes, also frequently linked with Manchester United, does fancy the job as manager of his country.

The Glasgow-born 46 year-old said in a BBC Inside Sport interview: "I am very ambitious and I want to win things. And I would like to do that with Everton.

"But I have always thought that the Scotland job would be something I would like to do in time, and living back in Scotland does appeal to me.

"I class that as my home and I do see that (the Scotland job) as a possibility. But I have a long way to go and a lot to do 'down here' and who knows.

"It might not be the right time for Scotland when David Moyes is available for that job."

But England is not on his radar. Moyes said: "I recall taking a call once from someone who asked whether I would be interested in the England job. And I thought he was winding me up.

"I would never get back over the border and I don't know as a Scotsman whether I would be invited back. I can say it is the one job that I have no interest in whatsoever."

Carragher driven on by Mersey mission for league title

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes the club are closer than ever to winning the Premier League title.

The Reds are on course to be the first team to lose just two league games in a season and not win the championship.

Carragher did praise Manchester United for winning their 18th crown to equal the record held by Liverpool but cannot wait to challenge them next term. It's hard to win the Premier League as our top four sides plus Barcelona probably make up the best five sides in Europe,' he said.

'That's the challenge we face. You can look at the statistics and it is impressive we've only lost two games and scored lots of goals, but United have got more points than us and credit to them - that's what matters.'

Reds goalkeeper Jose Reina added: 'When I first joined Liverpool we were something like 30 points behind United, now it is only three or four points.

'We have already beaten the club record in terms of points and we tried our hardest to do our best at the end of the season.

'But it wasn't enough because United didn't slip at any time.

'We are really proud to be closer but we will be even prouder to win it. That is the next step.' Brazilian Lucas admits it was hard to watch as United gained the point needed to win the title on Saturday, and he could not bear to see their title celebrations.

'I watched the game but when they were about to receive the trophy I switched off my TV,' the midfielder said.

'Last year in January we were out of the fight for the title, this time we were right up there.

'We have to believe in ourselves. We have the quality to win the title.'

Ireland nowhere near new City deal

Manchester City star Stephen Ireland insists he is a long way from agreeing a new contract with the Eastlands club.

Reports last week suggested the midfielder was set to be offered a big-money four-year deal after excelling in a season which saw him shortlisted for the PFA's Young Player of the Year award.

The 22-year-old believes his performances this term speak for themselves and has called on the City hierarchy to resolve his future. We're nowhere with the contract, to be honest, we're still a long way off. Talks have barely started,' he told the Daily Mirror.

'I don't know what's going to happen and if I'm going to sign or not sign. It's out of my hands right now, it's up to the club, not me.

'It's getting to the stage now where I don't know if I'm going to be signing or not. I think I've done enough this year, let my football do the talking.

'The club haven't really made an offer yet. If they make one great - if not, I've got two years left.'

Ashley to blame for Newcastle mess, says Shepherd

Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd insists Mike Ashley is solely to blame for the club's relegation plight and urged the current regime to stop 'whingeing'.

Shepherd sold the club to Ashley nearly two years ago having himself suffered criticism for his running of the club.

Since then, however, the Magpies have lurched from crisis to crisis and are staring relegation in the face heading into the final weekend of the Premier League season.

And Shepherd told The Sun: 'Relegation would be an absolute disaster in terms of corporate and the crowd.

'It took us 12-15 years to get a big ground, a great academy and a good set of players. We left and all of a sudden there's a disaster. And you can't make a profit out of a disaster.

'One thing that is really upsetting is the whingeing that is going on. They blame everyone but themselves.

'They have to look at themselves and say 'what have we done wrong here' and not start blaming other people. It annoys me that they seem to blame me all the time.

'Every year we were there we made a profit. There is only one person to blame and that's the guy who decides who is going to run the club.

'Lots of people can buy football clubs but not many can run them.'

Sunderland stay in contention for drop

Sunderland's bid for Barclays Premier League survival will go to the wire after two defensive howlers allowed Portsmouth to snatch victory at Fratton Park tonight.

The Black Cats could have secured their top flight status with a win and they took the lead with a 59th minute strike from Kenwyne Jones.

But Portsmouth then scored twice inside seven minutes through John Utaka and Phil Bardsley's own-goal after a dreadful gaffe from Anton Ferdinand.

Portsmouth wrapped up the victory three minutes from time after Armand Traore was allowed acres of space to angle his shot inside the far post.

The only consolation for Sunderland ahead of next Sunday's final league game at home to Chelsea is that their top-flight future remains in their own hands.

Sunderland remain a point better off than Hull, who host Manchester United, and two ahead of local rivals Newcastle.

'Anton's [Ferdinand] obviously held up his hand,' said Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia.

'It's happening too often in general - we play well, we think we're sort of in charge of the game.

'We knew in the second half they'd push on to us and close us down. but we got off to a good start. Kenwyne scored and from then on we should have been a bit more confident and bossed the game.

'We kept the lead for two minutes, and that's not acceptable. The second goal was a bad mistake by Anton. He switched off. I would imagine he should have just put his foot through it and helped it on.

'From then on I thought we played reasonably well. We left ourselves open late on - we were obviously trying to go for the equaliser.'

Wenger won't quit Arsenal for Real this summer

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood insists boss Arsene Wenger won't quit the Emirates for Real Madrid this summer. The Gunners chief also slammed shareholders for their 'disgraceful' criticisms of the French manager.

In the wake of a Champions League semi-final mauling by Manchester United which confirmed a fourth trophyless season for the north Londoners, the French boss suffered the wrath of some fans during the forum at the Emirates Stadium on May 14.

Wenger's youngsters were accused of lacking backbone, defender Mikael Silvestre was branded "geriatric" and striker Emmanuel Adebayor also came in for fierce personal criticism over his performances this term. Reports this week have suggested Wenger could be tempted by a move to Real Madrid after he refused to rule out the possibility when quizzed on French television this week.

And Hill-Wood insists the flak aimed his way was the last thing needed at such a sensitive time. 'Frankly, some of the questions were quite disgraceful,' he told the Daily Mirror. 'There you have the most successful manager in our history and two or three of the shareholders made the most negative and somewhat hostile and sarcastic comments, which I think were completely out of order.

'I was very upset by the questions, I have to say. We, and he, kindly agreed to have this meeting and whether we have another one is a moot point.

'Arsene was very diplomatic and honest in his answers and deserves great credit for that. But I wouldn't have been anything like as polite if they had asked me.

Hill-Wood also quashed suggestions Wenger, whose contract runs until 2011, was set to leave Emirates Stadium any time soon.

He told the Daily Star: 'Arsene is here and under contract, and I am sure that is how it is going to remain.

'I think he is a big enough man to accept that a few people are not prepared to be reasonable.

'I think we all have to accept criticism, but you expect it to be reasonably constructive, rather than destructive.'

Bednar suspended following drugs claims

Striker Roman Bednar has been suspended by West Brom following allegations he bought illegal drugs.

The 26-year-old Czech international was named and pictured in a newspaper report on Sunday morning and the midlands club have taken swift action.

A statement from the Barclays Premier League club read: "Roman Bednar has been suspended while the club conduct an internal investigation into the matter." Bednar joined the Baggies from Hearts in August 2007, initially on loan before the deal was made permanent at a cost of £2.3million last summer.

The frontman was a revelation in his first season at The Hawthorns, finding the net 17 times in 22 starts as West Brom won promotion to the Barclays Premier League and made it to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

This term he has started just 12 times in the league, coming off the bench on 14 occasions, and has scored six goals.

Bednar signed for Hearts from Czech club Mlada Boleslav in July 2005.

Celtic held at Hibs

Celtic's Clydesdale Bank Premier League title challenge suffered a blow when they were held to a goalless draw by Hibernian at Easter Road.

Gary Caldwell and Scott McDonald missed good chances in the first half after Hoops' keeper Artur Boruc had saved well from Steven Fletcher's over-head kick but the champions could not get the second-half breakthrough despite incessant pressure

Celtic host Hearts at Parkhead next week in the last game of the season while Rangers travel to Dundee United two points clear of the champions.

Hibs had dented the Ibrox club's title challenge with a 1-1 draw at Easter Road in midweek but they could barely get out of their own half in the opening moments as Celtic quickly took a grip.

But in the seventh minute, seconds after they had won their first corner of the game, the Leithers had their first effort on goal when skipper Rob Jones headed a Derek Riordan cross over the bar from 10 yards. The champions, though, treated that let-off as a mere blip.

However, in the 22nd minute, it was Boruc who was the first keeper to be called in to action. To end a brief spell of Hibs pressure, the Hoops' keeper pulled off a fine save from Fletcher's overhead kick, after the Easter Road striker had latched on to a searching Ross Chisholm cross.

Six minutes from the interval Caldwell should have taken advantage of a pin-point Shunsuke Nakamura free-kick from wide on the left but he failed to get enough on his header and the ball slipped past the far post and the waiting Andreas Hinkel.

In the final minute Celtic missed another decent chance to get the breakthrough when McDonald latched on to a long pass from Caldwell but he screwed his shot from 14 yards wide of the far post.

In the 65th minute Hibs keeper Yves Ma-Kalambay did well to claw away Aiden McGeady's cut-back from the bye-line which was heading for Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who had replaced Georgios Samaras.

It was all becoming increasingly tense and in the 71st minute Ma-Kalambay did well again when he blocked McDonald's angled drive after the Australia international had been set up by Vennegoor of Hesselink, who soon afterwards headed a Hinkel cross over the bar.

Blues win in Hiddink's Bridge farewell

Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka gave Chelsea a 2-0 victory over Blackburn in the last match at Stamford Bridge under the charge of temporary head coach Guus Hiddink.

The Dutchman is set to return to his full-time role with the Russian national team following the end of the season, which will conclude with the FA Cup final at Wembley.

Chelsea were good value for their win, with Blackburn also putting on a decent performance despite having little to play for. The Blues, who have a slim chance to catch Liverpool in runners-up spot, started brightly, and took the lead after just four minutes.

Anelka escaped down the right, before whipping the ball back onto the penalty spot, where Malouda arrived on queue to crash a bullet header past Paul Robinson.

Rovers had a chance to get quickly back on level terms, but captain Ryan Nelsen headed El-Hadji Diouf's right-wing cross over from six yards.

Frank Lampard struck the crossbar after being played in by Anelka, before Gael Givet had to be alert to hack away Malouda's chip over the goalkeeper.

Chelsea continued in determined mood following the restart and doubled their lead after 59 minutes.

Cole's ball in was missed by Malouda, but Didier Drogba touched back for Anelka on the edge of the Blackburn penalty area. The French striker needed no second invitation, and drilled in his 18th league goal of the season, to draw level with United forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Robinson produced a fine reaction save from Anelka at point-blank range during stoppage time before Chelsea and their departing coach all enjoyed a lap of appreciation after the final whistle.

Baggies go down

West Brom went down fighting as Liverpool edged to within one point of being confirmed as Barclays Premier League runners-up. after a 2-0 win.

Albion's players gave everything in a defiant last stand at The Hawthorns to avoid relegation, but Liverpool still stretched their unbeaten league run to 10 matches.

Football Writers' player of the year Steven Gerrard struck his 24th of the season in the first half to record his best seasonal tally to date, with Dirk Kuyt driving in the second with 27 minutes left. Albion, sticking to their attacking policy, have been battling the drop all season and this was their third relegation from the top flight in seven years.

They fought to the last, and there were more cheers than tears from their defiant fans at the end.

But Liverpool were a class above as Gerrard struck in the first half and then set up Dirk Kuyt for the second just after the hour mark.

The Reds looked uncomfortable early on - but were handed the lead by a shocking piece of defending after 28 minutes. Defender Shelton Martis, with plenty of time on his hands to clear, hesitated in possession and scuffed the ball straight to Gerrard. The Liverpool skipper surged away and clipped the ball over Dean Kiely.

Albion had strong claims for a penalty turned down after 60 minutes when Lucas' last ditch challenge sent Ryan Donk tumbling as he went for a Juan Carlos Menseguez cross.

But after 63 minutes Liverpool struck again. Gerrard fed Kuyt and the Dutchman surged at retreating defenders before drilling the ball past Kiely from the edge of the box.

Luke Moore struck a post for the home side and Marc-Antoine Fortune had an effort disallowed for offside while Ryan Babel and Lucas missed chances at the other end.

Sbragia wants safety secured on Monday

Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia is eager to avoid a nerve-jangling Barclays Premier League finale against Chelsea.

The Black Cats face an anxious wait to see where they will sit in the league table by the time they run out at Portsmouth on Monday night. If all goes well for them over the weekend, a point at Fratton Park could effectively secure their top-flight status. However, wins for Newcastle over Fulham at St James' Park and Hull at Bolton would send the Wearsiders into the relegation zone.

Sbragia said: "This is the big one for us. I would hope not to go into the last game of the season and need something. It's possible, you can always do it, but at the present we are just thinking about this Portsmouth game." Sunderland started the weekend in 16th place, two points better off than the Magpies and the Tigers, and two adrift of Portsmouth in 15th, with Paul Hart's side themselves not yet mathematically safe.

However, the Black Cats have won only one of their last 11 games and taken just six points from a possible 33 in the process, and they have collected a meagre two points from the last 18 they have contested on the road.

That particular failing is one Sbragia has blamed in part on his own naivety.

He said: "We have not been consistent and the league shows that. We went to clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool and played a formation.

"Maybe in my naivety, I thought we could go to some clubs and play 4-4-2.

"I thought we could beat West Brom with a 4-4-2, but on the day, it didn't work for us.

"Maybe we have to address that and look at it and be a little bit more difficult away from home to beat and be much more solid, and in some cases, just try to steal a goal."