Sunderland's Pull with Stoke Leaves Relegation Scrap Spacious

Ten-man Sunderland struck back on Monday evening to draw 1-1 with Stoke City and breathe life into a flailing campaign. Stoke opened the scoring inside 10 minutes after Jonathan Walters shot home the second test from a large part, but the visitors were pegged by Sunderland back in the second half. Dean Whitehead flicked a Black Cats corner toward the rear post and John O'Shea was on hand to drive the ball home. The result stopped Stoke from clawing their way to genuine safety at 43 points, while also limiting Sunderland's efforts to achieve the sought-after 40-point mark. Additionally, it represented yet another 90 minutes and no conclusions can yet be drawn on the English Premier League dogfight. There are still nine edges competing in order to avoid falling into that dreaded 18th place in the table, joining Reading and Queens Park Rangers in the Championship next period. Sunderland climb above Norwich City and Newcastle Uniteda'all on 38 pointsa'thanks to a better goal difference and is going to be looking to leapfrog Southampton in the dining table by beating them this coming Sunday. Had the Black Cats failed to peg the Potters right back and give themselves a chance, many would suggest a to the Saints at home would seal their fate. Norwich slip to 16th place, take a seat on a dreadful minus-22 goal difference and face two extremely overwhelming fixtures: West Bromwich Albion in the home and Manchester City absent. If the Canaries don't defeat WBA, the factors who have already gained 40 points may feel safe. Even they would be only seen by a draw to 39 and an win at the Etihad Stadium is extremely unlikely. Aston Villa will still be feeling very good about their condition. Their goal huge difference is not beneficial, but they've the power to win the games they really have to and it would simply take a miracle set of leads to see them fall. Norwich, Newcastle and Southampton supporters will soon be feeling heat, but it stands to reason that any worrying done is unnecessary until Wigan Athletic catch through to activities. This relegation battle will be truly shaped by their clash with nothing-to-play-for Swansea on Tuesday and a win for the Latics could see Newcastle drop into the relegation zone with only two games to play. Since the Magpies step out onto the pitch at Loftus Road that produces a complete new meaning to the word "tension". If they can't win, they're dreaming about a miracle on the final time against Champions League-chasing Arsenal. Who's your favourite for the decline?

Via: Jorge Lorenzo gives the pole at the Jerez Grand Prize