Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone has urged supporters to back the team with “one last push” as they seek to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Sunderland lie two points from safety behind 17th-placed Norwich City, with eight games to go.

Five of those are at home and the goalkeeper believes the crowd’s support can fire the club up the table.

“Although the situation we’re in is not nice, the way we’re playing and the effort everyone is putting in will take the crowd with us for one last push,” the Italian said.

The Black Cats are in their eighth consecutive Premier League campaign.

Goal was perfect present, says Payet

Dimitri Payet staked his Euro 2016 claims with a sumptuous strike for France that he called a “beautiful birthday present”.

The West Ham midfielder came off the bench in the second half against Russia on Tuesday night and moments later curled in a brilliant 30-yard free-kick.

It put France 3-1 clear, and they went on to win 4-2 in Paris.

Now Payet, 29 on Tuesday, is hoping to persuade France boss Didier Deschamps to include him in his plans for Euro 2016.

“It’s a beautiful 29th birthday present,” Payet said.

“The free-kick was my first touch, I’ve been a bit lucky.”

Pele sues over ad

Brazil football legend Pele has sued Samsung Electronics Co for at least $30 million, alleging the Korean company improperly used a look-alike in an advertisement that ran in the New York Times without permission.

According to the complaint, Samsung placed the October ad for ultra high-definition televisions after breaking off negotiations in 2013 to use Pele’s identity to promote its products.

Although the ad does not mention Pele, it includes an image of a man who “very closely resembles” the 75-year-old, and a small photo of a player making a “scissors-kick, famously used by Pele,” the complaint said.

Ireland’s Elliot out of Euro 2016

Ireland’s Newcastle United goalkeeper Rob Elliot has been ruled out of Euro 2016 after injuring knee ligaments in their 2-2 draw with Slovakia in a friendly international on Tuesday.

Elliot went off having suffered the injury making a diving save after 14 minutes in Dublin and his Premier League club said in a statement he would be ruled out for “a number of months”.

Ireland boss Martin O’Neill gave a gloomy review of 28-year-old Elliot’s injury after the game.

“He’s not great. He’s got a serious knee injury. It’s a real disappointment and obviously a dampener on the evening, particularly when he is getting his career together,” he told reporters.

Demichelis charged with misconduct

Manchester City defender Martin Demichelis has been charged with misconduct in relation to betting by the FA yesterday.

An English FA statement read: “It is alleged the player committed 12 breaches of FA Rule E8 concerning football matches between 22 January 2016 and 28 January 2016.

“He has until 5pm on 5 April 2016 to respond to the charge.”

A worldwide ban on betting on football came into force on August 1, 2014 for all those involved in the game.

Players are also banned from knowingly providing inside information to any other person for the purpose of betting and from promoting betting activity.

Vital US victory

The United States eased to a crucial 4-0 win over Guatemala that saved their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign and took some pressure off coach Juergen Klinsmann.

After a dreadful 2-0 defeat away to the same opponents last week, the United States would have been on the verge of elimination from qualifying with another defeat.

Reflecting the growing unease among fans, a plane flew over the stadium in Columbus, Ohio, prior to the match with a banner reading: “Fire Klinsmann He’s A Tiny Little Bit Behind.”

The win moved the United States on to seven points from four games, three behind Group C leaders Trinidad and Tobago.

Vardy committed to Three Lions

Jamie Vardy is relishing the race to be England’s number one striker at Euro 2016 but is happy to play anywhere if it means making the starting line-up.

Vardy strengthened his case for inclusion in Roy Hodgson’s side with another goal against Holland at Wembley on Tuesday, coming three days after his expert finish in the victory over Germany.

“It’s massive competition and that means everyone will be trying that extra one or two per cent,” Vardy said.

“I’m perfectly happy to play in whatever system the boss has got ready for that game. Wherever he wants me to play, I will put in 110 per cent.”