CRAIG HOPE AT BRAMALL LANE: Jack Ross must be wishing Sunderland could play away at Premier League opposition every week, not that this felt like a shock result.

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES AND CRAIG HOPE: Florida-based GACP Sports, who already own Bordeaux, are said to be interested in buying Newcastle in a £300million deal.

PETER CROUCH: England legend and new Sportsmail signing Jill Scott is nicknamed after Peter Crouch - so who better to interview her than the man himself?

SAFC chairman Stewart Donald said: 'This is a decision that has been made with a heavy heart.' The Black Cats sit in sixth place in League One, four points behind second-placed Wycombe.

Former Sunderland defender Carlos Edwards has backed Neil Harris or Ian Holloway to land the vacant managerial role at the Stadium of Light.

Kevin Phillips went on to score 189 career goals - 93 of those in the English top-flight - while Jeffers managed a measly tally of four strikes in three years for the Gunners.

Phil Parkinson is poised to become the new manager of Sunderland. The 51-year old, who resigned as manager of crisis torn Bolton in August, is expected to be confirmed within 24 hours.

The Black Cats have appointed former Bradford boss Parkinson on a two-and-a-half year deal after he left Bolton Wanderers in August - he took the squad for training on Thursday.

New manager Phil Parkinson has told Sunderland to forget their Premier League past as they attempt to drag themselves out of League One.

When Jordan Henderson leads Liverpool out at Old Trafford on Sunday to the sound of This Is The One by the Stone Roses, he finds himself in an exclusive club. He played in their last win there.

The Carabao Cup returns on Tuesday and League Two Crawley (left) will look to continue their unlikely run to the latter stages, while Frank Lampard (right) will eye revenge against Man United.

Jack Rodwell has reportedly entered talks with Parma regarding a surprise switch to Italian football. The free agent looked on course to sign for Roma, but the deal ultimately fell through.

ON THE ROAD: At what point did Sunderland go from being a big club that accidentally found themselves in League One, to becoming a genuine lower league outfit?

Goalkeepers adventuring off behind the goal in search of a ball is a routine sight on Sunday league pitches - but it's not something you expect in a 49,000-seater former top-flight stadium.

The Reds captain had just made his £20m move to Anfield from Sunderland in 2011 but at just 20-years-old was still finding his feet in the top flight despite excellent performances for the Black Cats.

Simon Mignolet has revealed he left Liverpool because he didn't believe he could compete with Alisson for a starting spot. The 31-year-old left the Reds to join Club Brugge in a £6.4m deal.

Midfielder Jack Rodwell could make a sensational return to the Premier League with Sheffield United. The 28-year-old has been training with the Blades in a bid to land a contract.

TOM FARMERY: For many it is a time to celebrate, rejoice and enjoy all that Christmas brings. The same can be said in the Premier League unless, of course, if you are bottom of the table.

Some caretakers managers have proved successful and gained the job permanently. Others have proved disastrous. Sportsmail take a look at some of the best and some of the worst.

The last decade has seen plenty of high-profile signings - and Sportsmail has already picked out the very best. Now it's time to go through the very worst. From 20 to 1, here's the full rundown.

IAN LADYMAN: David Moyes was a very good football manager when he was at Preston and Everton. Since then, it has been harder to say. Manchester United was too big for him.

Sunderland have confirmed that owner Stewart Donald is actively trying to sell the League One club after being urged to go by disgruntled fans.

Crystal Palace striker Connor Wickham will be given the chance to revive his injury-hit career at Sheffield Wednesday following the arrival of Cenk Tosun at Selhurst Park.

Sunderland have described a social media post about new signing Kyle Lafferty which inadvertently referred to loyalist pipe bands as a 'genuine mistake'.

Manchester United will make a decision on the future of midfielder James Garner this week amid interest from League One Sunderland.

CHRIS SUTTON - FA CUP VERDICT: People from the North East live and breathe football. Walk around Newcastle city centre on any given day, and you'll see black and white stripes aplenty.

Three of the most memorable football matches of my youth were all very different. All are linked by one thing. On each occasion, a ticket was purchased on the day of the game.

EXCLUSIVE: Stewart Donald was targeted by Sunderland supporters as he left Fratton Park with his young son following Saturday's 2-0 defeat, before a group of Pompey fans came to his aid.

Sheffield United's latest win leaves them just two points off a Champions League spot, but how do they compare to other Premier League sides to have taken the top flight by storm following promotion.

Former England captain Dave Watson has a neurodegenerative disease that was 'most likely' brought on by head injuries and repeated heading of the ball during his playing days.

With the country heading into lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic, we could all soon find ourselves with plenty of time on our hands. So we came up with a few good ways to keep entertained.

EXCLUSIVE BY CRAIG HOPE AND DAVID COVERDALE: It was the moment when The Office met The Wolf of Wall Street - and the makers of Sunderland 'Til I Die had their opening scene.

With exercise options reduced with gyms across the country now shut under government orders Lawrence is streaming his own brand of home workouts online at 8am every morning.

In his teen years, a professional deal at Sunderland was in the balance, but it was Henderson's well-known dedication and attitude which swung the decision in his favour.

Ghana were on the verge of becoming the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final when they were awarded a penalty in added time of extra time after a Luis Suarez's handball.

The Senegal winger was hardly a shrinking violet, courting controversy with remarkable regularity before, during and after his time in England. Diouf's feud with Gerrard is just the tip of the iceberg.

KIERAN GILL: If only those Netflix cameras were stationed at Sunderland in 2007-08. Oh to be a fly on the wall for Roy Keane's first season as a manager in the Premier League.

After a four-hour match against Roger Federer, Andy Murray has a day less to prepare for the final than Novak Djokovic. But Andy is a very fit guy, and I’m not sure it makes that much difference.

The first thing Andy must do is forget the Verdasco match: it’s ancient history. Tennis is a problem-solving game and Andy successfully solved the problem. What was it? Maybe he played a little too defensively in the first two sets and, not unreasonably, expected the Spaniard to miss more than he did.

Where I come from this is what I call a popcorn match, it’s the type that you just want to sit back on the sofa and enjoy — and for me it is that kind of one-off contest which is too close to call.

Andy showed a lot of class and a lot of fight on Sunday. His dismantling of Novak Djokovic was a thing of beauty to watch. From the first ball, the crowd was engaged. I thought that was the most important factor.

During my spell working for the Lawn Tennis Association, I remember this skinny kid as a junior with a dream single-handed backhand — Dan Evans.

Andy Murray's former coach Brad Gilbert tells you all you need to know on the top men's seeds at this year's Wimbledon Championships.

Andy Murray's former coach Brad Gilbert tells you all you need to know on the top women's seeds at this year's Wimbledon Championships.

There is an 800lb elephant in the room for this Australian Open semi-final in the shape of Dani Vallverdu, Andy Murray's former assistant, but my advice would be: don't make it personal.

I doubt that Tomas Berdych will be saying anything to Andy Murray again on court in a hurry after the Scot was riled by the World No 7 into an emphatic four-sets victory in their tense semi-final.

BRAD GILBERT: I had Novak Djokovic as strong favourite for the Australian Open title but now I am not so sure. I am feeling increasingly good vibes about Andy Murray. Djokovic has struggled.

Sportsmail's tennis guru Brad Gilbert gives his expert analysis on the 10 women to watch as the Wimbledon Championships get under way at the All England Club on Monday.

Sportsmail's tennis guru Brad Gilbert gives his expert analysis on the 10 men to watch as the Wimbledon Championships get under way at the All England Club on Monday.

BRAD GILBERT: Two aspects of Murray’s play in this tournament have impressed me: the way he is being more aggressive on his second serve and his aggression on his backhand.