“Lee is the controller of the side. He is a motivator, a leader and central to the success of our team."

Messi gave up processed food this season, we heard this week from nutritionist Giuliano Poser, seemingly the true driving force behind Barcelona’s surge out of pre-Christmas lethargy to intestinal purity and treble glory.

Sunderland 1 Newcastle United 0: Jermain Defoe is a quick learner. Sunderland’s recent acquisition has spent the last fortnight taking a crash-course in Wear-Tyne derby history, and it took him less than 45 minutes to write his name indelibly into its latest chapter.

The sight of Paolo di Canio sliding across the St James’ Park turf on his knees in celebration is one which will always haunt John Carver.

Former Manchester United manager David Moyes admits he put a stop to the players’ pre-match ritual of eating chips.

Take it again. Tim Smyczek’s simple act of sportsmanship in his Australian Open match with Rafa Nadal won’t endure in sporting folklore, says Larry Ryan.

After the controversy surrounding James McClean's decision, we take a look at others who stuck by their decisions - for better or worse.

Last weekend, James McClean, quite clearly and eloquently explained in an open letter to Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan why he would be not be joining his team-mates in wearing a poppy on his shirt, as is the tradition on Remembrance day.

Sunderland head coach Gus Poyet is hoping his players return to action still feeling “unbeatable” after last season’s great escape.

Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has ended speculation over his future by signing a new contract with the club.

Sunderland have issued a “hands-off” warning to Southampton as the Saints start the search for a new manager.

Former Celtic forward Paolo Di Canio would consider a return to Parkhead as Neil Lennon’s replacement, the Italian’s agent has claimed.

After attending Wembley twice in the past year as a mere bystander, Corkman John Egan is two games away from becoming an active participant at English football’s biggest stage.

Sunderland's “miraculous” great escape is almost complete after they clinched their first win at Manchester United for almost half a century.

Against all odds, Gus Poyet may be about to pull off one of the Premier League’s greatest escapes.

Sunderland 0 Everton 1

Steve Bruce believes his former club Sunderland could be “in serious trouble” after it emerged the north-east club were fined for fielding striker Ji Dong-won in four Premier League games for which he was technically ineligible.

Sunderland are confident they will not face further punishment for allegedly fielding striker Ji Dong-won in four games for which he was ineligible.

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

Newcastle United 0 Sunderland 3

Sunderland 1 Stoke City 0

Sunderland head coach Gus Poyet has hit out at Stoke over their courtship of Lee Cattermole and Steven Fletcher on the eve of the Premier League clash between the clubs.

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

Paolo Di Canio has claimed Republic of Ireland defender John O’Shea told him “things” about Martin O’Neill when he was appointed Ireland manager.

Paolo Di Canio has defended his tenure as Sunderland manager and is hoping to make a return to the Barclays Premier League.

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Keiren Westwood is set to miss the rest of the season after being forced to delay an operation on his shoulder because of illness.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce maintains he has enough to worry about with his own injury-hit side than what Tottenham might do following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas ahead of their Capital One Cup quarter-final.

West Ham 0 Sunderland 0

Aston Villa 0 Sunderland 0

Martin O'Neill has hit back at Paolo Di Canio with the spat between the two former Sunderland managers showing little sign of abating.

Paolo Di Canio has hit back at Martin O’Neill as the war of words between the former Sunderland managers continued.

Paolo Di Canio has hit back at Martin O’Neill as the war of words between the former Sunderland managers continued.

It’s been a very busy week in the world of Irish football.

Martin O’Neill has left no room for doubt over who will be calling the shots in his Republic of Ireland partnership with Roy Keane.

Sunderland 1 Manchester City 0

Once, when John Hartson was at Celtic, he made the mistake of telling Martin O’Neill to “eff off”.

Sunderland 1 Manchester City 0

New Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill believes Roy Keane’s appetite for football will make him an outstanding assistant second-in-command.

Sunderland 2 Newcastle 1

You’ll probably have noticed, given the torrent of coverage, that Alex Ferguson talks about himself in the third person quite a bit in his new book.

Swansea 4 Sunderland 0

Gus Poyet is relishing the “great and difficult challenge” of keeping Sunderland in the Premier League after being unveiled as the club’s sixth manager in less than five years.

Gus Poyet was today handed the task of dragging Sunderland out of relegation trouble after being named as Paolo Di Canio’s successor.

Gus Poyet will today become the new manager of troubled Sunderland.