AG's Football Reports

SUNDERLAND'S 10 year stay in the Premier League is over.  Sunderland's 10 year stay in the Premier League is over Josh King scored two minutes from time to consign Sunderland to defeat and with Hull getting a point at Southampton relegation for the Black Cats was confirmed. Sunderland needed to better Hull's result to continue their fight against the drop for another week but Josh King's 88th minute strike gave Bournemouth all three points at the Stadium of Light and Hull held on for a 0-0 draw at Southampton which sealed relegation for Sunderland. Like on Wednesday night Sunderland showed encouraging spells but the lack of quality which has been evident all season cost them dear again.  Their lack of cutting edge has been a problem all season and is an area where they must invest in next season if they want to return to the Premier League next season.  Top scorer Jermain Defoe and Fabio Borini went closest for Sunderland while the in-form ...

Here we go with another round of predictions. Could this be the weekend that Sunderland are relegated? Southampton v Hull - Saturday 3PM This is an interesting game, Hull will feel that this is possibly a good chance to end that rotten form away from home, it is incredible the difference between them at the KC and away from home. Southampton and Claude Puel have had their critics this season, I do feel that they are a bit harsh and I think they will get the win here. My Prediction: 2-1 Stoke v West Ham - Saturday 3PM This for me is one of those typical end of season games. West Ham are safe and have nothing to play for after was has been at times a very difficult season for Slaven Billic. Stoke are safe and not going to qualify for Europe but they will want to finish in the top 10 for a 4th successive season. Its not often I go against Stoke at home. My Prediction 2-0 Sunderland v Bournemouth - Saturday 3PM Oh Sunderland! How many times have we been here?...

SKY SPORTS and Hartlepool legend Jeff Stelling has got his way as Hartlepool manager Dave Jones has been sacked. The Pool's confirmed this morning (Monday) that Jones had left his position as the clubs First-Team manager. A club statement read: "Hartlepool United can confirm that Dave Jones has left his position as First-Team manager by metal consent." "Assistant Managers Alex Armstrong and Kevin Cooper have also departed The Northern Gas and Power Stadium with immediate effect." "The club would like to place on record it's thanks to Jones, Armstrong and Cooper for their efforts and wish them every success in the future." "Matthew Bates will now take charge for the final two games of the season, assisted by Billy Paynter, Stuart Parnaby and Ian Gallagher." All of this comes after the Soccer Saturday presenter issued an emotional plea to Jones to quit 'for the sake of the club' after seeing his beloved side drop into...

So Jose Mourinho has nearly completed his first season in charge of Manchester United, but has their been any progress? Well United may have won both the Community Shield and EFL Cup this season they still sit 5th in the Premier League table, the same place they finished last season. In fact Louis Van Gaal had a better points return (56) than Mourinho (54) after 29 Premier League games. Performances under Mourinho have been a lot better though, in some ways there have been some classic United performances and the return of last-minute goals something that was never seen under the Dutchman. United are currently on a 23 match unbeaten run in the Premier League but they have drawn half of those games, if 5 of those drawn games had been wins then they would be up with Chelsea and Spurs at the top of the table. So overall if you look at the wider picture you can see that they have progressed in many different ways. You can't ignore the fact that they do have a trophy ...

NEW Birmingham Manager Harry Redknapp says that if he does not keep Birmingham City in the Championship then he does want paying.  The 70 year old former Tottenham and Portsmouth Manager has replaced Zola at St Andrews after he left the club on Monday following a run of just two wins in 22 games. He told BBC's Radio 5 live "I'm not being paid. It doesn't bother me though." "I've got a bonus. It's not a massive one, but I said "If I don't keep you up, I don't want paying." Redknapp who's last managerial job was with QPR revelled that he had the same agreement in place at Derby County last year. Adding "I said to them if you don't make the play-offs, I don't want any money. If we hadn't of made the play-offs i wouldn't have been paid anything." Redknapp has been out of the management arena since leaving QPR in February 2015 but says he is "ready" for the relegation fight with Bir...

The Premier League has just one game left in the 31st round of fixtures. Here is a roundup of all the weekend's action. Chelsea remain 7 points clear at the top of the table after a 3-1 win at Bournemouth. An Adam Smith own goal was added to by Eden Hazard and a superb free-kick from Marocs Alonso. Bournemouth however, did cause Chelsea problems and scored through the in-form Josh King. Tottenham remain second after a comprehensive win over Watford for the second time this season. Goals from Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Son gave Spurs a 3-0 half-time lead. Son added a second goal in the second half as Spurs keep up their title charge. Liverpool reamin 3rd in the table after coming from behind to beat Stoke at the Bet365 Stadium. John Walters who always scores against Liverpool put Stoke ahead. Philipe Coutinho levelled for Liverpool before a Firmino rocket won the game for the Reds. Manchester City are just 2 points behind Liverpool after they beat Hull 3-1 at the Etih...

I'm back with my latest round of Predictions for this weekend's Premier League games. Plus I'm putting a new segment in, it is called the Saturday 6 pick read on to find out more. West Brom v Arsenal - Saturday 12.30 This is going to be a tricky game for Arsenal, if this does not go well for them and the results this weekend go against them they are going to find it hard to get into that top 4. The records are good only 1 defeat in their last 12 PL games against West Brom but that was this fixture last season. I definitely think this has the potential to be a tough game for the visitors as West Brom are good at home. My Prediction: 2-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet) Crystal Palace v Watford Palace are beginning to turn the corner after back to back wins and things seem to click under Big Sam.They have won 3 of their last 5 games and most importantly have kept back to back clean sheets which is important. Watford are a side I find hard to judge they can be so good some...