Mackems End Run

After seeing their chances of ending their 26-game winless streak ended in such cruel circumstances against West Brom, Mick McCarthy's men witnessed their fortunes change at The MFI Riverside in a game neither side dominated.

Once again there were empty seats in ICI City, for a game the Smogs insist is a north-east derby, and the Boro fans were running for the exits long before the end.

Although the Mackems are still 3/1 ON to be relegated, Everton's David Moyes has become the favourite to become the first Premiership manager to be sacked this season, which must come as welcome relief to both Graeme Souness and Mick McCarthy.

The Toffee's were sussed out in ther penultimate game of last season, losing 7-0 to Arsenal, as their luck finally ran out. Has there ever been a worse England team to compete in the Champions League? I cannot name one. And Moyes is taking stick from the fickle Evertonians, and Paul Bracewell and Gary Speed have both spoken to TOTT in past years saying Goodison crowd love to take their frustrations out on their own players.

The Black Cats have ended a run of 27 Premiership games without victory, and their fortunes finally seem to have changed, although it would have been nice to have them come to St James' Park with only one point in the bag.

At the other end of the table Chelsea are an incredible 7/1 ON to win the title, and we are only into September. Man Utd are 9/1 and Arsenal 11/1.