Manolo Gabbiadini, pictured centre, scored twice for Southampton at the Stadium of Light

Manolo Gabbiadini rekindled memories of his namesake Marco on Wearside as Southampton cruised to a 4-0 Premier League victory at bottom-of-the-table Sunderland. It will be 30 years in September since Marco Gabbiadini arrived at Roker Park in an A 80,000 switch from York and forged a partnership with Eric Gates which brought him 87 goals and a permanent place in the hearts of Black Cats’ supporters.

West Brom send Sunderland back to bottom of Premier League

Sunderland sank back to the bottom of the Premier League table as their miserable away form continued against West Brom at The Hawthorns. Goals from Darren Fletcher and Chris Brunt saw the Baggies return to winning ways following defeats to Derby, in the FA Cup, and Tottenham as the 2-0 victory kept them in the frame as contenders for European football next season.

Jack Rodwell has damaged the medial ligament in his knee

Midfielder Jack Rodwell has joined Sunderland’s growing absentee list to leave the most depleted squad in the Premier League stretched even further. The 25-year-old suffered a medial ligament injury in his knee during the loss to Stoke at the weekend, when he made his 35th top-flight start for the Black Cats – none of which have resulted in a victory for his team.

Sadio Mane, second from right, was both hero and villain for Liverpool at Sunderland

Sadio Mane has backed his Liverpool team-mates to maintain the pace in the Premier League title race while he is away on African Nations Cup duty. Mane headed off to join up with the Senegal squad after Monday’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland with mixed feelings after looking to have snatched victory at the Stadium of Light before handing the Black Cats a point by conceding a late penalty.