First Away Win For Sunderland

A blunder from Scott Dann gave Sam Allardyce's Sunderland side three vital points and their first away win of the season.

Sunderland had to withstand a lot of pressure early on with Yannick Bolasie causing problems down the left wing, but it was Sunderland who had the best opportunity of the opening 10 minutes. A majestic ball split the centre half and right back from Billy Jones to find Patrick Van Aanholt making the run but he decided to hit the ball first time instead of letting it roll across his body and playing it into the 6 yard box where Jermain Defoe would have been on hand to tap into an empty net.

Crystal Palace found it hard to get the ball into the box with Sunderland dropping deeper and keeping the 3 man midfield just in front of the box. James McArthur managed to crack of a shot from just outside the box after picking up a loose ball. Costel Pantilimon saved comfortably, but this represented their first real chance with half an hour gone.

With five minutes left in the first half, it was easy to see why Palace had such a bad home record, they posed the biggest threat on the counter attack while struggled to break the Mackems down. Sunderland were wise not committing too many bodies forward as they would be exposed at the back, particularly with the lack of pace of Younas Kaboul and John O'Shea.

Shortly before half time, Lee Cattermole played a ball similar to that of Billy Jones' earlier. It split the defence and but Van Aanholt could not control ball. The first half ended with both sides having chances but Sunderland arguably having the better of them.

After half time Palace signalled their intent through a quick tempo and a shot from Yohan Cabaye required a good save from Pantilimon. Bolasie and Zaha looked a threat down the wings. Sunderland had an excellent chance through Younas Kaboul. A whipped corner in was met by the head of the former Spurs man and he bulleted a header towards the far corner. A benefits of having a man on the post paid dividends as it was hooked off the line as Wayne Hennessey was beaten in nets.

Bakary Sakho cracked a fizzing shot off but it just went wide. Alan Pardew must have told his side to get a few more shots off and try to test Costel Pantilimon. Sunderland had another great chance when a long pass was pumped forward towards Jermain Defoe. The former English international would have been one on one with the keeper if it wasn't for a vital touch from Delaney.

Palace were getting beyond their man to create space, but it was often the final ball which thwarted the attacking move. While they were creating chances in the final third, the introduction for Sunderland of Duncan Watmore and Jeremie Lens posed a few new problems at the back. On 74 minutes, Watmore Bolasie down the right and fizzed a cross into the box it was cleared but fell to Jones whose shot was easily saved by Hennessey. 

The deadline was broken just before the 80 minute mark when a terrible mix up between Scott Dann and Hennessey allowed Jermain Defoe to put the ball into an empty net. If Palace struggled to break down Sunderland when the game was level then things were going to get a lot more difficult now. Younas Kaboul, who was great all night, continued to pop up and prevent any Palace attacking threat.

In the closing 10 minutes, Palace did have several opportunities through Bolasie, Zaha and McArthur but Sunderland defended resolutely and managed to hang on for a well earned first away win of the season 

Time up for Pardew?

When people say "Football is just a game," drives me to the edge of combustion. It most certainly is not, it is so much more. However, where Mike Ashley and Alan Pardew are concerned, Newcastle United appears just a game and a hobby to themwant both of them run in to the nd where they were only able to pick up 6 points from their last 10 games has carried on into the new campaign, with no signs of improving. Winless and only newly promoted Burnley below them in the table, things haven't been rosy for the northern club. 

If we remember back to when Mike Ashley awarded Pardew with a spanking new 8 year contract, it caught everyone off guard. Ashley's reasoning in his bizarre actions was that successful clubs are only built on long term management. The Newcastle faithful have been voicing their opinions for months now, and the poor form that has hit the Toon has given them ammunition and evidence.

It is safe to say that Pardew would not be the most popular around St James' Park and the route of this could be narrowed down to a poor transfer window in the summer. In a surprising move, Hatem Ben Arfa joined Hull City, something which wouldn't have pleased the fans. 

After the departure of Yohan Cabaye in January, Pardew signed Jack Colback from rivals Sunderland, so it was always going to be a point of concern. Last season, they had Loic Remy, on loan from QPR, to rely on for goals, and they attempted to make that deal permanent in the summer but to no avail. 

With Remy off to new pastures, Newcastle have struggled to find the net. Having netted 5 goals in 6 games, Papiss Cisse is their leading scorer with 2, but he has been less than impressive. In fairness to Alan Pardew, he tried to replace Remy's goals with AS Monaco's Emmanuel Rivière for a fee of €6m. Yet to open his account for the Tyneside club, Pardew will be hoping for his sake that the goal drought doesn't go on for much longer.

His other signings haven't set the world alight either. Siem de Jong showed great promise at Ajax, particularly during that Champions League match against Manchester City several seasons back. Currently injured, the Dutchman, along with Remy Cabella could give the Toon the creative spark that will give Cisse and Rivière chances to score. De Jong has the ability to be a big hit at St James' Park, hopefully injury doesn't hamper his development at the Tyneside club.

Even more of a concern for Newcastle fans is Pardew's tactics. He is very persistent with his 4-5-1 formation, something which has come under a lot of criticism from Toon fans. Rivière has often being playing as a lone striker and has looked uncomfortable in that position. His tactics have been deemed slightly negative, particularly as the manager seems reluctant to throw on an additional striker when they are in need of a goal. This was particularly evident during the game on Monday night when he replaced Rivière with Cisse. 

Pardew hasn't enjoyed a good 2014, and now with Mike Ashley jokingly saying that he will sack the manager, we can see that he is in a very awkward position. There is no doubt he is under pressure, particularly with managers such as David Moyes and Tony Pulis unemployed. Now with the manager appealing for the media to leave his family out of the equation, we could be seeing a departure very soon. I think your time is up, Mr Pardew.