Antonio gives West Ham 1-0 win over Sunderland

“We are on good run and we have to keep this going”.

Allardyce, who has had 20 years in management, returns to West Ham with Sunderland this weekend. This month’s 2-1 win over Manchester United has led to an upsurge in optimism and a growing belief that the Black Cats can avoid relegation despite their current position in the bottom three.

“They are organised, stubborn, but they have quality on the break”.

Jermain Defoe and Jack Rodwell (twice) had gilt-edged chances to find the net, yet couldn’t take them, as they suffered a “what might have been” defeat which they can ill-afford at this stage of the campaign.

“Andy Carroll and Winston Reid should both be available for the Sunderland game”, wrote Gold. Billy Jones (hip), Younes Kaboul (ankle), Jan Kirchhoff (hamstring), Seb Larsson (knee), Jeremain Lens (hernia) and Duncan Watmore (ankle) are all likely to miss the game with injury.

Kick-off is at 12:45pm on Saturday.

Allardyce was subjected to similar abuse during his short spell at Newcastle United, but while his record at St James’ Park was relatively poor, it is hard to characterise his time at Upton Park as a failure.

Here’s the information you need. He had a 31% win percentage rate compared to new boss Slaven Bilic who has won 38% of his games in charge.

BT Sport will broadcast the opening Premier League game of the weekend this afternoon.

But Wahbi Khazri proved it wouldn’t just be an aerial threat which West Ham had to deal with, as he danced his way down the right flank before watching his cross clipped away from goal by Collins.

Michail Antonio struck the only goal of the contest with 30 minutes on the clock, with the Hammers putting in a resilient defensive display during the second period as the Black Cats laid siege to the home defence.

When Sam Allardyce was sacked last summer after developing West Ham into an established top-flight team, it did appear a little harsh looking in from the outside.

“In another season they could have been 10 points behind”.

Sunderland are fighting for their Premier League lives.

West Ham pressed early on and Noble drilled an effort towards the top corner which Vito Mannone got his fingertips too and the ball cannoned off the crossbar and came out.