Crystal Palace v Sunderland: Van Aanholt’s move

Big Sam and PVA celebrate

If Sunderland suffer relegation this season, their undoing will be a toxic combination of factors.

The board had paid off managers and made panic-buys in previous seasons, which weakens their financial position. Given that January fees are inflated, it has been difficult for Ellis Short to bring in players that will turn Sunderland’s season around, as he has done in the past.

Lamine Kone made a huge impact when he signed last season and the centre-back impressed on Tuesday. Kone was key to a clean sheet in the draw with Tottenham on Tuesday, like tenacious midfielder Didier N’Dong, who has also just returned from the African Cup of Nations.

Those players could make a bigger contribution between now and May than the three new signings. Joleon Lescott has much to prove after a disastrous season with Aston Villa and the pocket-tweet gate. Two other of David Moyes’ former employees, Darron Gibson and Bryan Oviedo, have seen their careers affected by injury.

This is an old Sunderland squad in need of rejuvenation and they are not getting that. The Black Cats were the architects of their own downfall at the Hawthorns. They had so many players back in the defensive third, there was a sense of indecision as to whose job it was to close down opponents. Often as a result, nobody would and the team would invite pressure.

They had a decent spell just after half-time, with Patrick Van Aanholt’s drives. The latter has this week joined Crystal Palace and, in a wing-back system, the Dutchman could thrive more than he did in a back four.

He impressed in their 2-0 win at Bournemouth on Tuesday, which saw Sam Allardyce get his first win in charge of the Eagles. It was a hardworking, disciplined performance, characteristic of a Big Sam side at its best.

There had been small signs of improvement against Everton the week before, when they were denied a point by Barkley’s performance and Coleman’s controversial late goals. Moyes will only wish that he were signing that calibre of player from his former employers.

The Football Lab’s Verdict: 2-1