Stoke manager Mark Hughes has warned Southampton counterpart Ronald Koeman to expect a far rougher ride this weekend compared to their recent stroll against Sunderland.

Ronnie Whelan was back in his old football nursery this week, revisiting the tight little Home Farm pitch in Whitehall that must have seemed as big as Wembley when, aged just six, he was brought along by his famous dad to debut in the mini-leagues.

Manuel Pellegrini is expecting a more favourable crowd reaction as Manchester City return to Wembley this weekend.

Manuel Pellegrini expects his Manchester City players to have learnt from last year’s Wembley nightmare as they prepare for this weekend’s Capital One Cup final against Sunderland.

Sunderland 1 Stoke City 0

Sunderland are taking legal advice over the broadside launched at the club and its players by former manager Paolo Di Canio over the weekend.

Sunderland boss Gus Poyet reserved special praise for Vito Mannone after the goalkeeper’s penalty shootout saves helped the Black Cats defeat Manchester United and claim a place in the Capital One Cup final.

Hull 1 Sunderland 0

Swansea 4 Sunderland 0

Swansea 4 Sunderland 0

PREMIER LEAGUE:

Sunderland 2 Peterborough 0

Stephane Sessegnon was handed his West Brom debut as the club that let him go this month, Sunderland, visited The Hawthorns.

Sunderland 1 Everton 0

Manchester United 3 Sunderland 1

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson believes it is an insult for anyone to question the self-belief of Sunderland counterpart Martin O’Neill.

Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole has committed his future to the Black Cats.

Republic of Ireland defender John O'Shea is confident a consistent run of games will help Sunderland's flair players rediscover their form and spark a push up the Premier League table.

Sunderland 1 Newcastle 1

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini knows Adam Johnson can make life difficult for his side as he returns to the Etihad Stadium this weekend.

Swansea 2 Sunderland 2

Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill is remaining patient as he attempts to strengthen his squad in the summer transfer market.

Sunderland were today handed a £30,000 (€36,000) fine by the Football Association after a misconduct charge was found to be proven.

Martin O’Neill claims James McClean can be as good as Gareth Bale provided he quickly learns how to deal with the unwanted attentions of increasingly packed defences intent on halting his rapid rise to prominence.

Sunderland 0 Wolves 0

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany defiantly insists title-race nerves are not getting to his team-mates.

Middlesbrough 1 Sunderland 2 (after extra-time)

Stoke 0 Sunderland 1

Chelsea 1 Sunderland 0

AS belated birthday presents go, it wasn’t too shoddy. Just when Alex Ferguson might have been forgiven for thinking that turning 70 wasn’t worth the bother, there was Martin O’Neill, bearing gifts.

Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan has dismissed speculation linking him with a move away from the Stadium of Light this summer and declared he is “fully committed” to the Wearsiders.

Jordan Henderson has spoken of his excitement at signing for Liverpool after the midfielder’s move from Sunderland was confirmed this evening.

Liverpool are expected to complete the signing of Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson today in a deal worth around £20m.

Sunderland 1 Wolves 3

Bolton 1 Sunderland 2

NINE games without a win, injuries piling up and rumblings of discontent among supporters, Steve Bruce must have felt like retracing his steps to see just where he walked under that ladder, or, the height of irony, had his path crossed by a black cat.

Louis Saha is in contention for Everton’s FA Cup fifth-round tie against Reading tomorrow after escaping unharmed from a car crash last night.

ALEX FERGUSON has confirmed Manchester United expect Edwin van der Sar to retire at the end of the season.

SUNDERLAND manager Steve Bruce is hoping to have to contend with a major headache when he sits down to pick his team to face Everton tonight.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce shrugged off Christopher Samba’s red card against Sunderland as “one of those things” following last night’s goalless draw at Ewood Park.

SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce admitted his side cannot keep relying on Darren Bent as they drew 0-0 at Blackburn.

Blackburn 0 Sunderland 0

Sunderland 1 West Ham 2

Wigan 1 Sunderland 1