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Monday, 15 February 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Lamine Kone celebrates with team mates after scoring the second goal for Sunderland Action Images via Reuters
Reuters: Manchester United missed the chance to steal a march on the Premier League’s top four when an own goal by keeper David De Gea cost them a 2-1 defeat at Premier League strugglers Sunderland on Saturday.
With the sides above them all playing each other in a mouth-watering Sunday programme, United could have closed to within three points of fourth-placed Manchester City but the gloom that has enveloped them most of the season returned as their hopes of Champions League qualification receded.
Anthony Martial’s dinked finish shortly before halftime cancelled out Wahbi Khazri’s third-minute opener for Sunderland but United fizzled out after the break and Spaniard De Gea could only help Lamine Kone’s late header into his own goal.
While United’s limp defeat put the spotlight back on under-pressure manager Louis van Gaal, Sunderland’s first home league win over United since 1997 raised spirits after a week which saw them sack midfielder Adam Johnson after he pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.
Sunderland remain second from bottom but with the Newcastle United, Swansea City and Bournemouth losing and Norwich City surrendering a two-goal lead against West Ham United, their hopes of avoiding relegation rose.
“This is more than an added bonus for us; this is a massive, massive three points,” Sam Allardyce, whose Sunderland side are now only one point away from the safety zone, said.
Newcastle were thumped 5-1 at Chelsea in the late kickoff as the champions produced their best performance of a poor league season to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 12 since Guus Hiddink replaced sacked Jose Mourinho.
Pedro scored twice for Chelsea, while Diego Costa, Willian and Bertrand Traore also punished a wide-open Newcastle defence to leave the north east club back in the bottom three on goal difference below Norwich who drew 2-2 with West Ham United.
West Ham could have moved above Manchester United into fifth spot with a win but dropped to seventh, below Southampton after they beat Swansea 1-0 in south Wales.
United have 41 points and look destined for a battle for a Europa League place with Southampton and West Ham who have 40.
“It will be difficult to qualify for the Champions League and the top four now, we know that,” United skipper Wayne Rooney told the club’s website.
“So it’s a sad day in terms of losing three points and we have to somehow move on.”
