Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has urged his side to take their opportunity to stay up as they close in on Premier League survival.
The Black Cats continued their impressive recent run by beating Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday.
A superb pass from Connor Wickham found Sebastian Larsson in the box and the Swede kept his composure to curl the ball into the back of the net to ensure Poyet’s men escaped with all three points.
If Chelsea can beat Norwich on Sunday, Sunderland are safe unless there is a dramatic swing in goal difference between the two teams.
Should Sunderland complete the impressive feat, they will have performed above all expectations after looking out of it just a month ago. After a heavy 5-1 defeat away to Tottenham, Poyet claimed his side needed a miracle.
The former Brighton boss now admits that it may have happened but they can’t afford to rest on their laurels.
“We are not over the line yet but it will be a shame if we don’t stay up now,” Poyet told reporters.
“It would be crazy to lose this opportunity.
“I don’t know if I am going to be able to watch [Chelsea v Norwich] because I am going to be heading every ball.
“What we have done in the last four games is unique. Miracle was the word I used a few weeks ago. Apparently every now and again it happens.”
Their next game sees them host West Brom on Wednesday, and they can be backed at odds of 2.00 on a -0.5 handicap.
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