Manager Michael Beale is intent on doing all he can to help ensure 2024 brings plenty more goals for Nazariy Rusyn and Sunderland’s strikers after watching an unwanted run come to an end against Preston.
The Ukrainian became the first of Sunderland’s recognised strikers to score this season when he turned in Jack Clarke’s 44th-minute cross at the Stadium of Light.
That goal followed Alex Pritchard’s first of the campaign in the 10th minute to put the Black Cats on track for a New Year’s Day victory.
Even though Pritchard’s 25-yard thunderbolt was of the highest quality, it was Rusyn’s predatory finish that was needed much more on Wearside.
Rusyn, Eliezer Mayenda, Luis Hemir and on-loan Chelsea man Mason Burstow have all struggled for time and goals since arriving in the summer.
Beale, who claimed a first home win since taking charge before Christmas, said: “The story of the game is a No 9 scores for Sunderland. He earned his goal and it has been difficult for him.
“His wife and children aren’t here. That must be hard for him, with everything going on back home at this time of the year. He’s been here six months and he’s on to his third coach, I am delighted for him.
“You can transfer talent but someone has to be comfortable in an environment. We have to do a lot to help people settle and that goal will do him the world of good, to get a standing ovation too, what a way to start the year. Well done Naz.”
Beale added: “I feel like I have been in the job two weeks, with four games, two travels, and been trying to get round the group.
“The most important thing was to get a home win against a Preston team fighting with us around the same position. This was a game more even and we took our chances. I’m delighted with our return from four games.”
Preston have won just four of their last 19 league matches and that has seen them drop to mid-table after starting the season with a eight-match unbeaten run.
Boss Ryan Lowe said: “We can’t give that much space and let a goal go in from 25 yards out for the first one. We have to get out to the ball.
“Then the second one before half-time…we spoke about Jack Clarke all week. We had to lock that out because he was the danger. He puts the ball across the box and it is 2-0 at half-time and it is game over.
“I am asking them for belief at half-time, be more dogged, be brave and at 2-0 we have kept them at bay – they are a good team.
“They scored one from outside the box and one from inside the box. We weren’t clinical enough, smart enough, at the top end of the pitch. We conceded two goals that are avoidable.
“Seven days ago we were beating Leeds United so to then lose against Sheffield Wednesday was disappointing. We need to find a way to get back to what we were doing at the start of the season.
“It is frustrating, we have to keep trying to find solutions, I can’t criticise the players.
“We need to find solutions over the next two weeks, the next worry is to pick points up as quickly as we can. We know it’s not good enough.”
'The serve to win Wimbledon' - Guardiola admits Man City pressure heading into final day
Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City will feel pressure similar to "the serve to win Wimbledon" when they look to secure the Premier League title on the final day of the season.
The Citizens took a giant stride towards clinching a record-breaking fourth successive top-flight crown with a 2-0 win over Tottenham on Tuesday.
Erling Haaland struck twice in the second half as City leapfrogged Arsenal to top spot, while moving two points clear of the Gunners with one match remaining.
Guardiola's side, who welcome West Ham to the Etihad Stadium on the final day, are red-hot favourites to seal the deal with a victory, with Opta predicting they have an 84.3 per cent chance of winning the league now.
But the Spaniard admits it is not a foregone conclusion and will not be plain sailing, and highlighted similar memorable examples of where City have had to really dig deep to get over the line.
"The tennis players say 'the serve to win Wimbledon', the last game is the most difficult one," he told BBC Sport. "We know what we're playing for. The tension is there."
"[The players] were playing for the consequences of the result [in the first half against Tottenham]," he told reporters in his news conference. "When you do that, you are going to lose the Premier League. You cannot perform to your level. They are human beings, I understand the pressure.
"Not even Arsenal played well against Manchester United [the Gunners' 1-0 win at Old Trafford]. They knew if they did not win there, they would not win the Premier League. It will be the same on Sunday for us against West Ham.
"We will feel the pressure. Look at Aston Villa a few seasons ago, 2-0 down with 15 minutes to go. Sergio Aguero against QPR, went to 93 minutes. It is normal. That is why we talk and say everyone has to relax, and do what they have to do. That is all."
LaLiga runners-up finish very difficult for Girona, boss Michel says
Michel knows it will not be easy for Girona to secure a second-place finish in LaLiga after they slipped to a 1-0 home loss to Villarreal on Tuesday.
But the players will give their all to try and finish an impressive season on a high, the coach vowed.
After losing at home to Villarreal, Girona are third on 75 points, one behind Barcelona, who have a game in hand.
"I see it as very difficult," Michel told reporters. "Barca are already in second place with two wins and can win all three games. It's a very complicated situation for second place.
"I see everyone in the team really fired up. These players just have to be applauded for the season they are having.
"After winning against Barcelona we had two games we could have won and we only got one point."
Girona visit Valencia, ninth in the league, on Sunday. They conclude their campaign at home against lowly-ranked Granada on May 25. Barca's remaining league fixtures include Almeria, Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla.
Michel was nevertheless proud of his team and the fans despite the disappointing result.
"They [the fans] have shown us that they are with the team, that they are happy with the way we do things. They know that together we are much stronger. I am very proud of the fans," the Spaniard said.
With their best finish of 10th coming in the 2017-18 and 2022-23 campaigns, Girona's place in next season's Champions League is in doubt.
According to The Times, Premier League reigning champions Manchester City and their sister club Girona will not both be able to compete in the tournament unless Abu Dhabi's City Football Group, who acquired 47 per cent of the LaLiga club in 2017, reduce their shareholding in one of the teams.
'The foundations are really fragile' - Postecoglou reeling after Spurs' defeat to Man City
Ange Postecoglou claimed the foundations at Tottenham are "really fragile" after a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City put paid to their Champions League qualification hopes.
Erling Haaland struck twice in the second half as City leapfrogged Spurs' bitter rivals Arsenal to return to the Premier League summit heading into the final day.
Postecoglou had been left flabbergasted in the build-up by Tottenham fans claiming they would be happy to lose to Pep Guardiola's side in order to dent the Gunners' title bid.
And while there was a generally flat atmosphere inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, home supporters were filmed celebrating City's opening goal while others chanted "are you watching Arsenal?"
The head coach, who was also captured arguing with a Spurs fan, was left far from impressed as his side's top-four hopes ended, with Aston Villa securing a place in next season's Champions League at their expense.
"The foundations are really fragile," he said. "The last 48 hours have shown me that. "It's inside the club, outside the club, everywhere. It's been an interesting exercise. It's just my observations.
"I can't dictate what people do. They're allowed to express themselves any way they want. But when we've got late winners in games, it's because the crowd has helped us.
"Maybe, I'm out of step, but I just don't care, I just want to win. I want to be successful at this football club; that's why I was brought in. So how other people want to feel, and what their priorities are, are of zero interest to me.
"I know what's important to build a winning team - that's what I need to concentrate on."
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