ManU boss Moyes clings to title hopes

It seems early in the season to be talking about must-win games, but the gap between Manchester United and the leaders Arsenal already stands at 12 points.

If the champions are to retain even the slightest hope of retaining the Premier League title they must beat Newcastle United on Saturday.

Defeat at home to Everton on Wednesday means United have taken just two points from their last three Premier League games and criticism of David Moyes, who replaced Sir Alex Ferguson as manager in the summer, is growing.

Moyes, though, insisted his side is still capable of winning the league.

“We will need to play some great football and win an awful lot of games in the run-in if we are going to be in there and around it come the end of the season,’’ he said.

When asked if he thought his side is capable of doing that, Moyes replied,“Yeah – I’ve got nothing to suggest anything else.’’

Arsenal, four points clear at the top of the table, faces Everton on Sunday, and will have centre-forward Olivier Giroud back after resting him for their victory over Hull City on Wednesday.

“I have always felt this squad is capable of going anywhere in this league and playing teams eye-to-eye,” said Everton Manager Roberto Martinez.

“But we have done nothing – we need to carry on improving, carry on getting better.’’

Second-placed Chelsea go to Stoke City with Manager Jose Mourinho insisting the performance in the 4-3 win at Sunderland on Wednesday was the best they have produced away from home this season.

Sunderland, bottom of the table and five points from safety, host Tottenham Hotspur, with Manager Gus Poyet insisting there were positives in Wednesday’s defeat.

“We need to play like that all the time,’’ he said. “If we fight like that and we do it in the way we have done it that we should be okay by the end of the season.’’

Spurs remained within three points of the top four with a victory at Fulham on Wednesday.

Fulham’s new Manager Rene Meulensteen seeks his first win since replacing Martin Jol last Sunday at home to Aston Villa.

Southampton look to put a run of three straight defeats behind them at home to Manchester City, while Liverpool host West Ham United and Hull City go to Swansea City.

Crystal Palace, buoyed by a victory in their first game under new manager Tony Pulis, host Cardiff City.