How good guy Gus has revived Mackems

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

Sunderland started this Premier League season with a self-confessed fan of Italian fascism in charge of team affairs. This month they will end it coached by a Uruguayan who has persuaded supporters to believe in miracles.

In between, they have played out one of the most emotional and unpredictable seasons in the club’s recent history. Fans are suffering from nervous exhaustion.