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The Blues boss says the title is Manchester City's to lose despite watching his side return to the top of the table with a convincing win over Mark Hughes' team
Jose Mourinho is adamant the title race is out of Chelsea's hands despite Saturday's 3-0 win over Stoke at Stamford Bridge.
Goals from Mohamed Salah, Frank Lampard and Willian moved Mourinho's men back to the Premier League summit but the Portuguese knows that the Blues are still relying on other results to go their way.
Liverpool can regain top spot by beating West Ham on Sunday, and Mourinho still has to take his side to Anfield before the season is over.
"I keep saying that we don't depend only on ourselves and we never did," the Chelsea manager told Sky Sports.
"I was waiting to be top of the league and depending on ourselves but that has never happened. We depend too much on other results.
"We have to play Liverpool so we have three points to discuss with them but with Manchester City we don't play them, so they have it in their hands."
Mourinho was pleased with the reaction of his under-fire charges at Stamford Bridge on Saturday after defeats to PSG and Crystal Palace.
"They played well," he added. "Normally after defeats you don't start very confidently and that's what happened.
"But we finished the first half 1-0 and it could have been two or three because we played well in the last 20-25 minutes of the first half.
"The second goal [arrived] and the game is over, everything was under control.
"It is a good victory and it's what we have to do until the end of the season. We have five matches in the Premier League and we have to win five."
Tottenham would demand €120 million for Lloris, says Sherwood
By Tom McKeown
Apr 6, 2014 9:27:00 AM
With rumours the France goalkeeper could seek an exit from White Hart Lane to secure Champions League football, the Spurs coach says the club aren't prepared to sell
Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood has slapped a €120 million price tag on Hugo Lloris, insisting the club are not willing to offload the goalkeeper.
The France international moved to White Hart Lane for £11m (€13m) from Lyon in 2012 and still has two years left on his current Spurs deal.
Rumours have been rife the shot-stopper has been eyeing a move away from north London to secure Champions League football, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly keeping tabs on him, but Sherwood is adamant the club want to hold on to the 27-year-old.
“He is one of the best keepers around,” the Spurs boss said, as quoted by the Daily Mirror. “Of course, people are going to want him. But I’m also sure the club won’t be tempted to get rid of him.
“He is one of the top goalies and unless someone is going to spend £100m (€120m) on him – and keepers do not get bought for that money – I don’t think he will leave.
“It was only that kind of figure that tempted the club to sell Gareth Bale – and he desperately wanted to leave and progress his career at Real Madrid.
"[Lloris] hasn’t got to play a blinder for France at the World Cup because people already know what he can do. They know he is a fantastic goalie.
“Even if he was terrible for France, I don’t think it would make a difference as to how people view him. Everyone can recognise it.
“He has never said to me or anyone else at the club that he wants to leave. And he does not perform like he wants to leave.
"He gives everything all the time and that is why he is a favourite of the players and fans.”
The Spurs boss is also confident striker Emmanuel Adebayor will commit his future to the club, despite the Londoners’ priority of adding further firepower up front in the summer.
Sherwood has already hinted at a move for Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, but believes Adebayor’s resurgent form since he took charge of the club should encourage the Togo international to stay put.
“Adebayor is a pleasure to work with and is a good role model for younger players,” the coach added. “He trains excellently, conducts himself well and I’ve never had a problem with him.
“He has married his talent with a top attitude and has been reaping the rewards since I got here.
“I’m sure he wants to be part of the future here. I don’t think he wants to keep moving clubs.
“His family is settled in London and he just wants to help us win as many games as possible.”
Manchester United's Javier Hernandez (L) is challenged by Newcastle United's Fabricio Coloccini during their English Premier League soccer match at St James' Park in Newcastle, northern England, April 5, 2014. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis
(Reuters) - Chelsea bounced back from their mini-slump and surged to the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 home victory over Stoke City thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah, Frank Lampard and Willian at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
A 32nd minute strike by Salah, making his first start since joining Chelsea in January, and second-half efforts from Lampard, whose initial penalty was saved by Asmir Begovic, and Brazilian Willian saw the Blues move on to 72 points.
They are one point ahead of Liverpool, who can return to the summit by avoiding defeat at West Ham United on Sunday, and two ahead of Manchester City, who beat Southampton 4-1 in Saturday's early match and have two games in hand on the leaders.
Manchester United moved above Tottenham Hotspur into sixth place with a 4-0 win at Newcastle United ahead of Wednesday's Champions League return at Bayern Munich, while Fulham moved off the bottom of the table with a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa.
Chelsea's win brought some cheer back to west London after a tough seven days which saw Jose Mourinho's side lose 1-0 at Crystal Palace last weekend and 3-1 at Paris St Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.
"Normally after a defeat you don't start confidently but this team today went upwards all the time," the Portuguese told Sky Sports. "In the first half we should have been 2-0 or 3-0 up because we played well. After the second goal the game was over.
"I think the team played well and we were solid defensively. That was only possible with the contribution of every player. With the ball we were fast, Mohamed Salah and Willian won individual duals.
"It's a pity Fernando Torres didn't score because goals give confidence but he worked hard for the team and I'm pleased with him," added Mourinho, having criticised his strikers after the defeat at PSG who they host on Tuesday in the second leg.
Stoke seem like a new side under Mark Hughes and four wins in their last five matches means no threat of relegation, but they struggled to create any real openings.
Salah settled home nerves after 32 minutes, calmly finishing after Nemanja Matic created space for himself down the left and cut the ball back for the Egyptian.
Chelsea thought they had doubled their lead just before the break but Branislav Ivanovic was correctly ruled offside after heading in Salah's cross.
The hosts got a deserved second after 61 minutes when Salah was hacked down in the box by Andy Wilkinson.
Lampard's spot kick was saved but he buried the rebound before Willian capped an industrious display with Chelsea's third goal, clipping a delightful shot into the corner.
SAINTS CRUSHED
Southampton, this season's surprise package, were on the back foot almost immediately at Manchester City when Jose Fonte brought down Edin Dzeko after three minutes.
Ivorian Yaya Toure calmly converted his sixth penalty from six attempts this season for his 18th league goal overall.
The Saints slowly rallied with the trio of Jay Rodriguez, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert, who were hoping to impress watching England manager Roy Hodgson, pulling the strings with width provided by Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers.
They suffered a major blow after 23 minutes, however, when Rodriguez landed awkwardly on his right leg after attempting to control a high ball and was carried off in tears with possible knee ligament damage raising doubts about his World Cup hopes.
Southampton deservedly equalised through Lambert's penalty, his 11th league goal this season, after Jack Cork was felled by defender Pablo Zabaleta in the 36th minute.
The visitors were playing well and looked like they would go into the break level but instead they let their good work go to waste by allowing City to wrestle back control.
First, Frenchman Nasri sidefooted home after being set up following a fine move involving Toure, Dzeko and David Silva, although the Spaniard appeared offside.
In the fourth minute of first half added time, Dzeko then headed into an empty net after goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga dived but missed Aleksandar Kolarov's cross.
Jovetic added a final flourish for City, scoring a simple goal after Jesus Navas' cross evaded the suffering Gazzaniga.
"I don't remember Joe Hart making an important save," City manager Manuel Pellegrini told BT Sport. "They had possession but no real chances to score."
POCHETTINO ANGER
Southampton's Pochettino said the failure of the officials to rule out the second goal for offside ended the contest.
"This action from the linesman for the second goal killed the game, the linesman killed the game," he told BT Sport.
"It's clear that the second goal changed it. We were superior up to that point."
Manchester United, missing injured strikers Wayene Rooney and Robin van Persie, won easily at Newcastle United, Juan Mata scoring twice and Javier Hernandez and Adnan Januzaj adding one each, although they lost Ashley Young with a hand injury.
For Alan Pardew's Newcastle it was a second straight 4-0 loss with the win boosting United who visit Bayern on Wednesday in their Champions League quarter-final level at 1-1.
Fulham had Hugo Rodallega's late goal to thak for their win at Villa which took them above Sunderland, who play on Monday, Cardiff City who lost 3-0 at home to Crystal Palace.
Jason Puncheon's double and a Joe Ledley strike extended Cardiff's miserable run under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with Palace scoring three away goals in a top-flight match for the first time since 1997.
Fulham moved up to 18th on 27 points with Cardiff in 19th place on 26 and Sunderland, who next visit Spurs, a further point back but with three matches in hand.
West Bromwich Albion, who finally appear to have hit form under Pepe Mel, won 1-0 at fellow strugglers Norwich City with an early goal from Morgan Amalfitano while George Boyd's strike gave Hull City a 1-0 victory at Swansea City.
(Reuters) - Leicester City have returned to the Premier League for the first time since 2004 despite not kicking a ball on Saturday after Queens Park Rangers and Derby County both lost.
Leicester, who beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 on Friday after goals by Riyad Mahrez and Anthony Knockaert, have 89 points from 40 matches, and are guaranteed to finish in the top two positions in the second-tier Championship after results went their way.
QPR lost to Bournemouth 2-1 while Derby went down 1-0 to Middlesbrough, meaning neither side can overhaul Nigel Pearson's side with six matches remaining.
Leicester are unbeaten in 21 matches, and lead second-placed Burnley by nine points.
Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, son of former Denmark and Manchester United great Peter, said on Twitter: "Premier league! So proud of all the boys and everyone at the club!!!"
Promotion to the Premier League brings vast financial rewards, with a 2013 report by the Sports Business Group at Deloitte saying it could be worth up to 120 million pounds, much of that from broadcast rights.
Even immediate relegation triggers parachute payments of around 60 million pounds over four years.
Leicester, owned by Thai businessman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, missed out on automatic promotion last season after winning only two of their final 13 matches before being knocked out in the playoffs by Watford after Knockaert missed a last-minute penalty and their opponents scored at the other end in a dramatic finish.
They have lost only five matches this season, going from strength to strength on the back of leading scorers David Nugent (18) and Jamie Vardy (16), and after numerous managerial changes since their last stint in the Premier League, have found a level of consistency under Pearson.
(Reporting by Josh Reich, editing by Pritha Sarkar and Martyn Herman)
The Gunners shot stopper insists his side still have plenty to play for and says they must now focus on beating Wigan at Wembley
Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has urged his side to forget Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park and focus on winning the FA Cup.
Sunday’s defeat leaves Arsene's Wenger men just a point above the Toffees in fourth place, but having played a game more than the Merseysiders, meaning their hopes of securing Champions League football are out of their hands.
However, Szczesny feels his side’s season is far from over, despite a run of just one win in their last six games in all competitions, and has urged them to focus on next weekend’s FA Cup semi-final against Wigan at Wembley.
"We’re not getting the results but we've got plenty to play for still,” he told Sky Sports.
“We've got the FA Cup now, so we're going to have to switch on and focus very quickly and forget about this.
"I hope we can kick on from now and start a good run. It's huge obviously. We know it's the only trophy we can win and it will be a massive boost for the club and the fans."
Everton, meanwhile, still have to face both Manchester City and United in their final six games, and Szczesny remains confident his side can still finish fourth.
He added: "Yes, we've managed to do it every single time so far, so although we haven't been at our very best recently, we believe we can do it, yes.”
Allardyce slams key decisions in loss to Liverpool
By Dom Farrell
Apr 6, 2014 9:11:00 PM
The Hammers boss questioned referee Anthony Taylor's decision to award the league leaders a second penalty, but did concede the hosts were lucky with their first-half equaliser
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was frustrated by a number of pivotal decisions in his team's 2-1 Premier League loss to Liverpool.
The league leaders left Upton Park with all three points after Steven Gerrard converted a penalty in each half to keep their title challenge on track.
Allardyce questioned referee Anthony Taylor's punishment of Adrian for a challenge on Jon Flanagan for the second penalty - with television replays confirming that the West Ham goalkeeper had got a touch on the ball first.
The manager, though, conceded his side got some luck on Guy Demel's equaliser, when Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet dropped Mark Noble's corner under a robust challenge from Andy Carroll.
"Unfortunately we are talking about the officials and not the game," Allardyce told Sky Sports. "We took the game to Liverpool whenever we could and really tested them.
"There were fouls given by the referee when he was 60 yards away; the second penalty was not a penalty, Adrian plays the ball. Controversially, we are talking about the referee and the effect he had on the game.
"He made big mistakes in the game. He thinks Adrian hasn't played the ball and he has. He has to be 100 per cent certain. He was in a bad position but gave it.
"It looked like Andy Carroll fouled the goalkeeper for our goal but we got it. We don't want that, nobody wants that. My real concern is that we are talking about referees every week.
"We don't have enough quality referees. They try their best but something has to be done about it."
The Canaries have lost four of their last six games - including Saturday's 1-0 loss to West Brom - to leave them five points off the drop zone with just five games remaining
Norwich City have confirmed they have parted company with Chris Hughton, with Neil Adams appointed as first-team manager.
The Canaries are currently 17th in the Premier League, five points off the drop zone with just five games remaining although the club have lost four of their last six games, including Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to West Brom.
"Norwich City can confirm Chris Hughton, Colin Calderwood and Paul Trollope have parted company with the club with immediate effect - and former Canary winger and FA Youth Cup-winning coach Neil Adams has been appointed as First Team Manager," a statement on the club's website read.
"The Norwich City Board has taken the decision to give the club the maximum chance to secure the points required between now and the end of the season to ensure retention of our Barclays Premier League status."
Adams, who played for the club for over six years and most recently has coached the Under-18 side said he is thrilled to be taking on the job.
"To say that I am delighted to have been offered the opportunity of managing Norwich City Football Club would be a massive understatement," he added.
"People know what this club means to me, and so it goes without saying that we will be doing everything possible to ensure that we maintain our top-flight status for next season.
"These final five games will be a huge test for us, and everyone must step up to the mark. But with the full backing of these magnificent Norwich supporters we will have every chance of achieving our objective."
'We depend on ourselves' - Demichelis ignoring Liverpool title charge
Apr 6, 2014 12:19:00 PM
Manuel Pellegrini's men have their Premier League fate firmly in their own hands and the 33-year-old defender told Goal they are not concentrating on the fortunes of their rivals
EXCLUSIVE
By Alvaro Jimenez
Manchester City defender Martin Demichelis has told Goal he enjoys the pressure of the Premier League title race but is not worried about the fortunes of their rivals.
Manuel Pellegrini's men earned a 4-1 win over Southampton to keep their hopes of a second league crown in three seasons alive.
Demichelis has come under fire for some of his displays this season, and Goal has learned the 33-year-old could be set for a move to New York to play for City's sister club.
City face some tough fixtures in the run-in, including a trip to second-placed Liverpool next weekend, but the Argentine says he enjoys the weight of expectation.
"The pressure [to win the title] is beautiful,” he told Goal. "We have to keep winning. It's vital because we have two games fewer.
"They [Southampton] did well in the first half and although they didn't reach us [City's goal], they had a lot of possession and that's not what tends to happen against our rivals. Overall, we had a good game."
City were somewhat fortuitous on their way to victory on Saturday, as replays showed David Silva was several yards offside in the build-up to Samir Nasri’s goal, which put the hosts 2-1 up before the break.
Demichelis said: "I didn't watch Nasri's movement, I couldn't say anything. From my location I haven't got any chance to see it."
The defender also acknowledged the challenge of Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool and expects a tough match when they meet on April 13.
Both sides have their fate in their own hands, but Demichelis says City will be concentrating on their own fixtures and not keeping an eye on the Reds, who face West Ham on Sunday afternoon.
"Liverpool? We depend on ourselves," he added. "That's the better option."
Wenger concedes top-four finish ‘will be difficult’ after Everton loss
Apr 6, 2014 5:50:00 PM
The Arsenal boss feels his side face a run-in that could still see them claim a Champions League spot, but they must rediscover their confidence to do so
Arsene Wenger admits a top-four finish will be difficult after Arsenal slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Everton on Sunday.
The Gunners failed to win for the fourth straight Premier League match, and the Toffees now sit just one point behind Wenger's side with a game in hand still to play.
And though the Frenchman believes his side have winnable fixtures, the task is certainly a tough one.
"I’m 100 percent determined to fight for the top four but it will be difficult," he told reporters.
"We still have a programme that is feasible but we have to first focus on the quality of our performances before we dream of places. Let’s get back to playing better.
"The fight is very open and it’s not just dependant on us but it depends on Everton who are in a strong position.
"We have been confronted with that before and it’s about how we respond from such a disappointing performance."
Wenger's side were poor in a number of facets of their game, and the manager admitted that his side have lost confidence in recent weeks, especially away from home.
"Our performance was not convincing, neither defensively or offensively. Everton were better than us and deserved to win.
"It’s a very disappointing result and a very disappointing performance. We have to regroup and come back to basics.
"Today we were behind 1-0 early and I still feel we had a lot of the ball, though we weren’t really dangerous.
"Everton defended well and at the moment we lack confidence and penetration. The incisiveness from our game is missing."
He added: “I would say our big defeats away from home have taken the charisma away from our team.”
The champions have won just seven times at Old Trafford under David Moyes but boast the most points accrued away from home in the Premier League this season
Juan Mata has called for Manchester United to replicate their fine away form at Old Trafford after Saturday's 4-0 win at Newcastle United.
The midfielder netted twice in an easy win for David Moyes' men at St James' Park, curling home a free kick six minutes before the break and then slotting home from Chicharito's pass in the 50th minute.
United have claimed more points away from home than any other team in the top flight this season, but their home form has been disappointing with just seven wins at Old Trafford.
"When we look at that record, we think we should have done better at home and at Old Trafford," Mata told MUTV.
"But I think it is something to be proud of, to be the best team away from home in the league.
"Let's try to win at home, win as many games as we can until the end of the season and go higher in the table."
United host Norwich City, Sunderland and Hull City before the end of the season.
(Reuters) - Hull City season card holders have narrowly voted in favour of owner Assem Allam's plan to change the Premier League club's name to Hull Tigers despite the FA looking poised to block the move.
The Football Association will make a ruling when its council meets on Wednesday but its membership committee has already recommended the plans be rejected because of unpopularity with fans, despite Allam hinting he will sell the club if he loses.
Supporters have demonstrated at games against the change but 2,565 of those eligible voted "Yes to Hull Tigers with the Allam Family continuing to lead the club" with 2,517 voting to keep the current name, Hull said in a statement on Monday.
Fans' group City Till We Die said the result was "largely meaningless" while the Football Supporters' Federation said the ballot was flawed.
The club, already nicknamed the Tigers, are set to remain in the top flight after promotion last term and have 15,033 season card holders.
(Writing by Mark Meadows, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
By Martyn Herman
LONDON Tue Apr 8, 2014 12:14am BST
Tottenham Hotspur's manager Tim Sherwood takes his seat for their English Premier League soccer match against Sunderland at White Hart Lane in London, April 7, 2014. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
(Reuters) - - Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood came out fighting on Monday as his side ended a day full of speculation about his future with a 5-1 crushing of Sunderland in the Premier League.
All eyes were on the former Blackburn Rovers and Spurs midfielder after a Sky Sports report that he would be replaced at the end of the season dominated the pre-match talk.
However, the 45-year-old did not look like a man about to be sacked as he went through his usual array of touchline theatrics, clearly revelling in a victory that just about keeps his side in the hunt for a top-four finish and Champions League football.
"I'm the best manager this club has ever seen," the jocular Sherwood joked with reporters after being asked whether he was the best man for the job despite speculation linking Netherlands World Cup coach Louis van Gaal to the White Hart Lane hot seat.
Sherwood was referring to statistics that show his points per game ratio in the Premier League exceeds any previous incumbent since he stepped up from coaching the under 18s to be given an 18-month contract in the wake of the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas in December.
"I have been given an opportunity to manage this football club and I owe it to the fans ... to do the job professionally and I just get on with the job.
"We got five (goals) and it should have been more. You can't do too much more than that.
"It can be tricky when teams are fighting for their lives but I said to the boys take the shackles off now, you've got six more games and go and win all of them and see where it takes us."
Earlier Tottenham described reports that Sherwood would be relieved of his duties in the summer as "speculation", saying that they would talk to the manager at the end of the season to review how things have progressed.
Two goals from striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who Sherwood restored to the team in the wake of Villas-Boas's sacking, and a superb display by Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen who chipped in with a goal and two assists, earned Sherwood his 10th win in 17 Premier League games - a healthy record for a rookie at this level.
Adebayor led the praise by saluting Sherwood after his goals and bringing a smile to the face of a manager who, as in his playing days, wears his heart very much on his sleeve.
"I'm not surprised Ade backed me he never played before I got here!" joked Sherwood.
"The players are backing me and I back them. What they get from me is honesty. When they don't do it I tell them and when they do well I pat them on the back. That's healthy. I always wanted honesty from my managers and didn't always get it."
Sherwood refused to be drawn on his future at the club, saying it was a matter for his employers to sort out.
He said he was instead concentrating on a strong finish in a season that began following the sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid and a rash of big-money signings who have struggled to gel at times, faring badly against the top clubs.
A 4-0 thrashing at Chelsea last month led Sherwood to accuse some of his players of "lacking guts" while another heavy defeat at Liverpool in their previous game appeared to end any hopes of a top four challenge - undermining Sherwood's position at the same time.
After brushing aside a relegation-bound Sunderland side with a confident display, however, Tottenham returned to sixth place, five points behind north London rivals Arsenal in fourth and four behind in-form Everton, who Sherwood says are favourites to claim the final Champions League spot. While outsiders, Sherwood said there is still hope.
"We are just thinking about winning the next five games and hopefully someone else slips up but Everton have been magnificent, going about their business very quietly and building a team," he added.
Tottenham to replace Sherwood at end of the season
Apr 7, 2014 2:44:00 PM
Louis van Gaal is still the favourite to take over at White Hart Lane, but Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino is expected to be given an interview for the role
By Greg Stobart and Wayne Veysey
Tottenham will replace Tim Sherwood as manager at the end of the season, Goal can confirm.
Spurs have taken the decision to make another managerial change just four months after the former England international replaced Andre Villas-Boas at White Hart Lane on an 18-month contract.
Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal is favourite to replace Sherwood after the World Cup, while Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is also a fan of Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino.
It is unknown whether Sherwood will remain at Tottenham in another capacity but he has previously suggested that he would refuse to act as a No.2 to another manager.
Van Gaal is the clear favourite to replace Sherwood having spoken openly about his desire to manage in the Premier League when he steps down as Netherlands coach after the World Cup in Brazil.
The 62-year-old Dutchman met with Levy following the dismissal of Villas-Boas but refused to split the Spurs job with his Netherlands duties.
Pochettino is expected to be granted an interview having impressed at Southampton both in terms of results and the team’s style of play.
The Argentine has a year left on his Southampton contract and has refused to sign a new deal, with key players including Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana expected to depart in the summer.
Sherwood has long feared losing his job and has paid the price for Tottenham’s almost certain failure to qualify for the Champions League, with the club seventh in the Premier League table ahead of Monday night’s clash against Southampton.
Spurs defeat leaves Sunderland on the brink, says Poyet
Tue Apr 8, 2014 11:14am BST
Tottenham Hotspur's Gylfi Sigurdsson (R) scores against Sunderland during their English Premier League soccer match at White Hart Lane in London, April 7, 2014. REUTERS-Dylan Martinez
(Reuters) - Monday's 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur has left Sunderland in need of a miracle to avoid relegation from the Premier League, according to manager Gus Poyet.
The loss left the Black Cats bottom of the table with 25 points, seven off 17th-placed Norwich City, and despite having two matches in hand on many of the other teams fighting for their top flight status, Poyet said avoiding the drop was looking increasingly unlikely.
They have lost six of their last seven league matches since beating bitter local rivals Newcastle United at the start of February, and their next three games are against top-four chasing Everton and title candidates Manchester City and Chelsea.
"I am realistic," the Uruguayan, who replaced Paolo Di Canio in October with the side having taken one point from their first seven matches, told reporters following the White Hart Lane defeat.
"When you look at the table and you look at the games that we have left and how many we need to win - I think we need a miracle, something unique, a shock.
"And if not, I cannot see it happening."
Sunderland had a glimmer of hope in north London when Lee Cattermole put the visitors a goal up after 17 minutes, capitalising on an error by Spurs defender Vlad Chiriches.
However, two goals to Emmanuel Adebayor and further efforts to Harry Kane, Gylfi Sigurdsson and the impressive Christian Eriksen ensured Sunderland returned home empty handed.
While the players gave no indication of having given up on their task, the feel-good factor created by the team's run to the Capital One (League) Cup final, where they lost to Manchester City, and strong performances in the FA Cup had dissipated.
Poyet said they would already have been relegated if not for the cup form.
"As soon as we lost that run the team went backwards - dramatically," he said.
"I think the desire is there but we are missing a few things that are very important in football, the quality in certain moments be it scoring a goal or defending. We haven't taken risks.
"There are plenty of things we could improve. Sometimes the table doesn't lie. I am realistic if we did not win a game in the last seven and now we need to win four from seven.
"I know where I am. If you look at the table and the games we have got left to win. I cannot see it coming."
(Reporting by Josh Reich; editing by Sudipto Ganguly)
Nani 'likely' to leave Manchester United this summer, says agent
By Sam Lee
Apr 8, 2014 12:12:00 PM
The Portuguese only signed a five-year contract in September but appears to be on the verge of a move away from Old Trafford, although his high wages could complicate matter
Manchester United winger Nani is "likely" to leave the club this summer, according to his agent.
The Portugal international has featured in just 11 matches under new United boss David Moyes this season, despite signing a five-year contract back in September.
The Portuguese has been widely tipped as one of several players to leave the Red Devils at the end of the season and his agent has done nothing to quash those suggestions.
"Nani is a very important player and at this time the only thing I can say is that he is likely to leave Manchester," Andrea Pastorello told Violanews.com.
Pastorello was speaking to a Fiorentina fan website following reports linking the winger to the Serie A club, who are believed to be leading the race for the Portuguese.
Brazilian midfielder Anderson, who moved to Old Trafford at the same time as Nani in 2008, is currently on loan in Florence and Pastorello says any future talks between the clubs could involve both players.
“The problem for Fiorentina and other Italian clubs is the player’s salary," he added. "But we will evaluate all bids.
“Our relationship with United is great. Fiorentina have to speak with Manchester United about Anderson and maybe there will be an opportunity to talk about Nani, too.”
United start pre-season tour with Galaxy
Manchester United will begin their pre-season tour of the United States with a friendly against Los Angeles Galaxy.
Wednesday 9th April 2014
The match, which will see two of David Beckham's former clubs meet, will be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on July 23.
Manchester United group managing director Richard Arnold said: "Playing LA Galaxy at the world-famous Rose Bowl will be an important part of the team's preparations for the 2014/15 football season.
The club has been visiting Los Angeles since 1950 and this match provides a great opportunity for us to engage with our fans in this region.
"The popularity of soccer in the US continues to strengthen and Major League Soccer and LA Galaxy have been fundamental to this.
Our previous matches against MLS opposition have proved popular with fans and players alike and we are delighted to be returning to the US."
Cazorla open to Arsenal exit: We lack a winning mentality
By Liam Twomey
Apr 9, 2014 11:49:00 AM
The Spaniard says the Gunners lack the psychological strength of their Premier League title rivals and admits he would be willing to look elsewhere in search of silverware
Santi Cazorla insists Arsenal must develop a stronger mentality if they want to win trophies - and hints he will leave if they fail to do so.
A four-game winless run in the Premier League has relegated the Gunners from title contenders to battling with Everton to qualify for next season's Champions League.
All the while the club's nine-year trophy drought goes on, and Arsenal will face Wigan Athletic in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley knowing anything less than winning the tournament will be a failure.
Cazorla admits he has still not found what he was looking for when he swapped Malaga for north London in the summer of 2012 and, at 29, says he is prepared to move again in search of silverware.
“I want titles and that is why I came to Arsenal,” he told Sport360. “Every football player wants to win titles. We’ve gone many years without winning one.
“And if not, what I’ll look for in my next destination is to have the chance to win.”
On the subject of a winning mentality, Cazorla added: “That is what makes it different at other clubs.
“You’ve a good example in Manchester City who signed Fernandinho, [Alvaro] Negredo ... or even Manchester United with [Robin] Van Persie and [Juan] Mata.
“Arsenal know what they need next season, but it’s almost impossible to win a title if we haven’t got these kind of things.”
Cazorla also refused to rule out the possibility of returning to Spain, where he had previously enjoyed the interest of Real Madrid while at Malaga and Villarreal.
“I don’t want to close doors, but nowadays I’ve a contract with Arsenal for two more seasons,” he continued.
“When I’m turning 31 I’ll evaluate myself and I’ll choose the best option. In which case, I would be delighted to come back [to Spain].”
The new legislation, which would be enforced from the beginning of next season, would prevent any participant within England's top eight tiers from gambling on any games
The English Football Association has announced proposals to ban participants in England's top eight tiers from betting on football from the start of next season.
The changes would see anyone from the fourth step of England's non-league pyramid up to the Premier League prohibited from gambling on any football match or competition anywhere in the world.
Additionally, the proposals - approved by the FA Council and The Football Regulatory Authority - would also outlaw betting on any other football-related issue, including the transfer of players, employment of managers or team selection.
FA shareholders will need to agree on the changes at their Annual General Meeting on May 21 before they could be put into force.
The current regulations state that no participant is allowed to bet on a match or competition that they are involved in or can influence in that season, or any other-football related matter concerning the league in which they compete.
However, the FA's director of football governance and regulation Darren Bailey believes that the new rules would send a strong message over the governing body's stance on the issue of betting.
Bailey said: "The proposed betting rule adjustment to encompass all aspects of world football provides a simple and straightforward message to all participants on where the line is drawn."
The announcement comes on the same day that Ronnie Moore was sacked from his post as manager of League One side Tranmere Rovers after admitting misconduct charges relating to betting.
Newcastle United midfielder Dan Gosling also admitted to similar offences last month, receiving a fine of £30,000.
Nicola Cortese was paid almost £2million pounds in his final full season as Southampton executive chairman, accounts have revealed.
Thursday 10th April 2014
Accounts to June 30, 2013, published by Companies House, show that the Italian, who resigned on January 15, banked £1,965,511 (around £38,000 per week) for Southampton's first season back in the Premier League.
It was a payrise of more than £500,000 from his renumeration package the previous year, when Saints earned promotion from the Championship.
The figures are revealed in accounts published by Southampton's parent company DMWSL 613 Ltd, which is now known as St Mary's Football Group Ltd.
The accounts show the highest paid director's salary, with Cortese the only director for the period in question.
Owner Katharina Liebherr was appointed a director on Cortese's departure.
So too was Josef Lenhart, whose occupation of the role lasted three days. Figures for his renumeration could be revealed in the 2013/2014 accounts.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been fined £8,000 and warned as to his future conduct by the FA following his sending-off at Aston Villa last month.
Thursday 10th April 2014
Mourinho requested a personal hearing following an improper conduct charge after he was sent to the stands by referee Chris Foy towards the end of a 1-0 loss at Villa Park.
A FA statement read: "Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been fined £8,000 and warned as to his future conduct following an independent regulatory commission hearing.
"Mourinho denied a breach of FA rule E3 in that his behaviour in re-entering the field of play and approaching the match referee (Foy) in an attempt to speak to him, in or around the 90th minute of the game against Aston Villa on March 15, 2014, amounted to improper conduct.
"However, the charge was found proven at a personal hearing on Wednesday, April 9."
Mourinho, who on Tuesday guided Chelsea into the Champions League semi-finals, has been seething since the loss at Villa, the first of two away defeats in succession in the Premier League.
After the second, at Crystal Palace, Mourinho conceded Chelsea's title chances were over, although they are two points behind leaders Liverpool entering this weekend's fixtures.
Mourinho said recently: "Can we play against Aston Villa again? No.
"The momentum was broken. Somebody broke the momentum."
Mourinho also believes Foy's performance could prove costly for Chelsea.
He said: "The other matches we lost because we didn't play well. You find the natural reasons for losing a match.
"If you go to the Villa match it's difficult. What happened in the defeat against Villa I never learn, I never accept.
"Somebody was very successful in putting a hurdle in front of us. And we crashed the hurdle against Aston Villa and we lost.
"Villa was not a normal football match and we always hope that football matches are normal."
It was the second time Mourinho had been sent to the stands this season.
Following his sending off against Cardiff in October, Mourinho accepted the charge and was fined £8,000.
Chelsea lost 1-0 at Villa Park, with Mourinho dismissed after Ramires had been shown a red card for an over-the-top tackle on Karim El Ahmadi. As well as Ramires, Willian was sent off during the contest.
The Chelsea manager came on to the pitch as a melee ensued involving players from both teams, with the substituted Gabriel Agbonlahor and Villa manager Paul Lambert also on the pitch.
The Portuguese claimed he was only attempting to cool tempers and to ask Foy why he had not sent off Agbonlahor for accosting Ramires, but the referee was not interested and he dismissed the Chelsea manager.
Mourinho then asked to speak to Foy in the referee's room, but he did not want to speak to the Chelsea boss.
The Blues boss then called on the Premier League not to appoint Foy for Chelsea matches.
