Clawing back a two-goal deficit at Liverpool was impressive enough, but they then went on to put in a tremendous second half performance to beat Manchester United, where Allardyce’s January signings really made names for themselves.
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Having failed to convert the chances at West Ham on Saturday, Sunderland remain in the relegation zone and Allardyce knows time is running out to keep the club up despite encouraging displays.
Moments later West Ham almost doubled their lead after Byram headed across goal to Carroll who hammered his shot off the bar.
Successor Slaven Bilic has impressively steered West Ham toward the upper reaches of the Premier League – the club moves up to fifth on the back of this triumph – but there was little of the flowing football he is credited for introducing as an antidote to the Allardyce years in a drab affair.
Despite being a star performer for the Elland Road outfit for the previous three seasons, Essex boy Byram says he’s settling into life in east London although coping with the pressures of the Premier League is much tougher.
“It certainly gives everyone enough time physically to recover and recuperate mentally”.
West Ham did not build on its advantage with a disjointed second-half showing but Sunderland was similarly uninspired before a pair of late chances fell to substitute Jack Rodwell, who lacked the composure in front of goal to make them count.
The Black Cats have lost just two of their last seven games (W3, D2) and will be hoping that they are just starting to find some form at a crucial time in the season.
The Hammers are unbeaten in their last 12 home games in all competitions (W7, D5).
Slaven Bilic’s men have now picked up 43 points after 27 games, which is the most they’ve ever had at this stage of a Premier League campaign.
He appeared across the West Ham attack, and kept Sunderland on the back foot when in possession. We created chances, scored the goal and hit the post twice.
“Sunderland are very organised, they are showing not only the quality but the character”.
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Never mind managing the Black Cats, Allardyce joked he must have run over one after his relegation battlers missed a host of chances to equalise in the second half. However, when Sunderland came calling in October, he could not fight the urge to return.
