Alan Pardew: 'Sunderland would be safe if Sam Allardyce was in charge from start'

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has claimed that Sunderland would already be safe in the Premier League if Sam Allardyce had been in charge at the start of the season.

The Black Cats, who appointed the former West Ham United boss in October, are currently 19th in the table, one point from safety.

Tonight, Palace and Sunderland will go head to head at the Stadium of Light. "If Sam had been there since the start of this season, they wouldn't be where they are," Pardew told reporters. "It's a very tough game. I don't think Sam will be looking forward to playing my team as much as I'm not looking forward to playing his team."

Palace are 14th in the standings, eight points from the relegation zone.