Post-match reaction from David Moyes and Sam Allardyce following Sunderland’s 4-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The managers review a memorable opening 45 minutes, talk form and the fans, and much more.
Opening 45 minutes
DM: “Goals, a clean sheet and all the simple things [were the key to today’s win]. I think we knew the task we were up against because Palace had a good win midweek and we had a good result as well, but today we took opportunities when they came along and it was really important for us."
SA: “Today was all about fear from the players. When the first goal went in fear overtook them and they lost control, and you have keep that control mentally in this game especially when you go a goal down. Once fear takes over, the mind gets confused and you the players doing a lot of things that we didn’t envisage or want them to do, which are highlighted by our defensive frailties in the first-half and their four goals.”
Second 45 minutes
DM: “I don’t think there’s been many times as a manager when I’ve been 4-0 up, so the big thing for us was to not do anything stupid in the second-half or give Palace an easy way back into the game. We needed to keep doing the simple things right and we actually thought we could then score on the counter, and there were a couple of chances where we nearly did. You’re never comfortable as a manager until the 90 minutes are up.”
SA: "In the second half we showed a bit of fighting spirit and tried to get back in the game but Sunderland had been gifted four goals and could just sit back and frustrate us. It’s a very disappointing day for us all and it’s my responsibility as manager that I turn it around as quick as possible.”
Form
DM: “We knew we had to player even better than we did against Tottenham; I was really pleased with our resilience midweek but not our play, and today we had some good periods of play at different times and we scored some good goals. Today gets us three points and no more, but it gets us a bit more confidence and more belief that we can move on. We’ve said all along that it’s going to be at tough job for us and that won’t change, but this gives us a real lift and a great chance.”
SA: “Our home form tells the story of that fear by us being bottom of the league in home points gained, whereas away we're ninth. We have to overcome the fears that we have playing at home – I don’t know why they’re there but I have to help them out. It’s not down the fans; they don’t put them under a huge amount of pressure compared to other clubs that I’ve managed; they want to support them but we have to give them something to get behind. I apologize for what they saw in that first half today.”
The fans
DM: “It was good, especially the support we had. With the way the game was set up – with us coming down, Sam [Allardyce] and Patrick [van Aanholt] – it was good to win it. I asked the fans to show their colours and they certainly did that. They gave us great support as always and the team were great for them as well. We have an idea of where we need to get to and we have games at the Stadium of Light which we’re capable of winning, so we have to try and do that.”
SA: “They [the players] have to accept that for the performance that they’ve given – a fan will show their approval if the team is playing well and their disapproval if they haven’t performed to the level that they expect. In today’s Premier League they expect to see a lot more entertainment than they’ve seen all season and, as the results tell you, it’s been an all-season problem.”
