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Newcastle still have it all to do to beat drop, says Graeme Souness

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez (left) and Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce during the Barclays Premier League match at St James' Park, Newcastle.
Image: Rafael Benitez and Sam Allardyce are battling for survival

Graeme Souness has backed Sunderland to beat the drop, claiming Newcastle still have it all to do to avoid relegation despite their recent revival.

Newcastle moved to within a point of both Norwich and Sunderland in the fight for survival after coming back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw at Liverpool on Saturday.

However, it was Sunderland who moved out of the relegation zone on goal difference following a 0-0 draw with Arsenal on Super Sunday, and Souness thinks Sam Allardyce's side are the team best placed to stay up.

"Newcastle are playing with a bit of confidence and belief after three good results back-to-back but they've still got it all to do for me," Souness told Monday Night Football.

Sam Allardyce
Image: Allardyce's side have lost just one of their last seven games in the Premier League

"I think Sunderland look like the team that can stay up out of the three.

"Norwich are huffing and puffing a bit. That result Sunderland got down there really punched them on the nose. And although Newcastle have had a mini-revival, it might be too little too late.

"Sunderland are the team that have got the bit between their teeth."

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Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal battles for the ball with Jermain Defoe of Sunderland
Image: Jermain Defoe can nick games for Sunderland, says Souness

Sunderland, who have a game in hand over relegation rivals Norwich and Newcastle, have lost just one of their last seven Premier League matches - a run of form which has seen them move out of the bottom three.

And Souness thinks being solid at the back has been the key to Sunderland's resurgence.

He said: "When you are down there, you have to come up with a way to win games. You don't have to dominate the ball or you don't have to play the best football.

Newcastle United Rafa Benitez waits for kick off of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Newcastle United
Image: Benitez's Newcastle are just a point from safety following their 2-2 at Liverpool

"Sam [Allardyce] has been around many times and when you are not conceding goals, the confidence is still there. I expected it to happen earlier and I think Sam expected it to happen earlier because he's had the chance to work with these players.

"To get a team playing where you are not conceding goals - and in Jermain Defoe, you've got someone who can nick games for you - it gives you half a chance.

"That defending is critical because when you concede daft goals, it really saps the confidence. That's the biggest reason why I think Sunderland will get out of it."

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