Sunderland did their chances of survival in the Premier League the power of good on Saturday afternoon with a vital 1-0 win over Hull at the Stadium of Light.
A Weekend To Forget For Toon Fans!
Sunderland did their chances of survival in the Premier League the power of good on Saturday afternoon with a vital 1-0 win over Hull at the Stadium of Light.
Djibril Cisse scored the goal which gave Ricky Sbragia's side their first win for eight games and moved them up two places to 15th, four points clear of the relegation zone.
The Tigers had looked the likelier to score in the first half, Kevin Kilbane missing their best chance with a header from Geovanni's cross which brought a great save out of Craig Gordon.
But after soaking up the pressure, the hosts broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, Cisse sending a powerful header past Gordon from Andy Reid's cross.
STOKE v BLACKBURN
Stoke on the other hand look safe after Liam Lawrence's second-half strike gave them all three points against Blackburn.
Lawrence collected the ball from Danny Higginbotham's flick-on with 15 minutes remaining , turned Gael Givet inside out and fired past Paul Robinson to move the Potters eight points clear of the bottom three.
Hull and Blackburn are now 16th and 17th receptively, both three points above the drop zone with the same goal difference.
PORTSMOUTH v BOLTON
Portsmouth can breathe a little easier after snatching a late 1-0 win of their own over Bolton at Fratton Park.
Veteran striker Kanu came off the bench in the last 20 minutes and bundled the ball over the line with almost his first touch to give them a victory which moves Paul Hart's team six points clear of the relegation places.
BORO v FULHAM
Middlesbrough remain in the bottom three after their former keeper Mark Schwarzer kept them at bay in a goalless draw with Fulham at the Riverside.
NEWCASTLE'S FIXTURES
Monday 27th April 2009
Newcastle v Portsmouth 20.00
Sunday 03rd May 2009
Liverpool v Newcastle 13.30
Monday 11th May 2009
Newcastle v Middlesbrough 20.00
Saturday 16th May 2009
Newcastle v Fulham 15.00
Sunday 24th May 2009
Aston Villa v Newcastle 16.00