SUNDERLAND, England (AP) - Sunderland’s 10-season stay in the English Premier League is over.
The northeast side’s relegation was confirmed with four games remaining after losing to Bournemouth 1-0 on Saturday. Joshua King scored for Bournemouth in the 88th minute to end David Moyes’ faint hopes of keeping Sunderland in the top-flight.
“I feel for the supporters, they put their hard-earned cash into coming to support the team,” Moyes said. “Sunderland will bounce back.”
Whether Moyes will bounce back with Sunderland is still unclear, with the manager tightlipped on his future after the “worst day” of his career.
“I’m just sorry that we weren’t able to do a better job,” the former Manchester United and Everton manager said. “It’s been a frustrating manager’s chair for just about any manager, but today obviously it’s been frustrating for me because we have not been able to keep the club up.”
The squad will require an overhaul for its life in the second tier, with eight players out of contract and three loan signings due to return to their parent clubs.
“There’s no criticism of the players, of their effort or their commitment, Moyes said. “I thought they fought right to the end to try to get a result today. It’s just that I’ve said near enough from the start, I’m experienced, I know what a Premier League team looks like, I know what a Premier League squad looks like and I’ve felt we have been short of a little bit of quality to try to make that difference.”
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe was delighted to effectively secure a third season in the Premier League.
“Look at the size of the clubs we are competing against week in, week out,” Howe said. “The Premier League is unforgiving. It’s such a good standard this year. With the money spent, the managers coming into the league, it’s such a competitive league as you saw today on the pitch.
“There was very little between the teams today but we managed to nick a big win for us. But it’s an unforgiving league and small margins decide every game.”
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