Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce admits his side are under pressure to take points from their games against Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool after Saturday’s defeat to Watford.

The Black Cats slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Watford on Saturday, a result which leaves them 19th in the Premier League table and two points adrift of safety.

Sunderland’s next three games see them travel to Chelsea and City before a home game against Liverpool, and Allardyce feels they are now under additional pressure to take points in those fixtures after the loss to the Hornets.

“It is almost a demand from us that we get something out of these games now,” he is quoted as saying by the Sunderland Echo.

“We know how difficult every game is, but we also know how difficult it would be to get points off Watford.”

Allardyce believes Sunderland should take inspiration from Watford, as he feels his side need to learn how to become harder to beat.

He added: “They can hang on to what they have got, they have two very good frontmen, which is the main reason why they are where they are.

“They keep picking up points, we can’t even get that draw at the moment.

“I have won three but lost all the others.

“Two or three draws in the mix to that would have made life much easier for us.”

Sunderland are 1.28 to be relegated and 11.00 to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the next round of fixtures.