become a contest solely between leaders Chelsea and
Tottenham Hotspur, the battle to beat the drop is a
more complicated affair.
With a maximum of five rounds left, the identities of
the bottom three who will be relegated into the second-
tier Championship come the end of the season have still
to be confirmed.
Sunderland have excelled at staying up in recent
seasons, but even their reputation as the Harry
Houdini of the Premier League may not be enough to
save them this time.
Wednesday's 1-0 defeat by northeast rivals and fellow
strugglers Middlesbrough left bottom of the table
Sunderland 12 points adrift of safety with a maximum
of 15 still available to them this season.
Defeat completed a wretched day for Sunderland
manager David Moyes, who has been charged by
England's Football Association for telling a female
reporter she might "get a slap".
But the defiant Scot, whose side are at home to
Bournemouth on Saturday, insisted he had no intention
of walking out on the Black Cats.
"No, I'm here, I'm the manager, you take it on the chin.
I am used to winning, I'm not used to losing and I
don't want to get used to it either."
Marten de Roon's ninth-minute strike gave Steve
Agnew his first win since replacing Aitor Karanka as
Middlesbrough boss and the club's first in the league
since December 17, although they remain six points shy
of safety.
"We hadn't won a game since December, so we needed
to win the game," said Agnew, whose side now face a
daunting trip to Manchester City on Sunday.
- Clement confidence -
Swansea too had the morale boost of a win, a 2-0
victory over Stoke, last time out but they remain in the
bottom three, two points from safety, ahead of their
Sunday match at Manchester United.
"I am very confident that we will stay up," said bullish
Swansea coach Paul Clement.
"Maybe I would not have been if we had not got that
good result and good performance against Stoke."
Hull, just above the relegation zone, have earned 19
points out of 21 at home since manager Marco Silva
was hired but they now face a potentially awkward trip
to Southampton.
Reigning champions Leicester City have stumbled lately
under Craig Shakespeare but a win at West Bromwich
Albion on Saturday would all but guarantee their
Premier League future following a 1-0 loss to Arsenal in
midweek.
Chelsea, four points clear of Spurs, who've also got five
league games remaining, are away to Everton on
Sunday when Tottenham face Arsenal in the north
London derby.
City and United remained a point apart in fourth and
fifth respectively after Thursday's goalless draw at the
Etihad -- a match where United's Marouane Fellaini
was sent off six minutes from time for a reckless
headbutt on Sergio Aguero.
"I can guess it's a bit of a red card and a bit of a very
smart, very experienced Argentinian player (Aguero)",
said United manager Jose Mourinho.
Meanwhile City manager Pep Guardiola -- due to finish
a season trophyless for the first time in his managerial
career -- told the BBC: "Every game until the last game
now will be a final."
Liverpool, currently third, could find the table much
changed by the time they kick off at Watford on
Monday.
Fixtures (1400 GMT unless stated):
Saturday: Crystal Palace v Burnley (1630 GMT),
Southampton v Hull, Stoke v West Ham, Sunderland v
Bournemouth, West Brom v Leicester
Sunday: Everton v Chelsea (1205 GMT), Manchester
United v Swansea (1100 GMT), Middlesbrough v
Manchester City (1205 GMT), Tottenham v Arsenal
(1530 GMT)
Monday: Watford v Liverpool (1900 GMT)
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