Slaven Bilic says West Ham are targeting top four finish in the Premier League - 'It is realistic now'

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic insists a top-four finish in the Premier League is now a realistic ambition.

A 1-0 victory over Tottenham on Wednesday has left the sixth-placed Hammers just one point adrift of the Champions League spots with Saturday's visit to Everton the first of their remaining 10 matches this season.

Bilic admits the club's position in the table justifies talk of claiming a coveted berth in the top four, but is also cautious over setting his sights too high.

"It is realistic now. We are one point behind with 10 games to go so we have a chance," Bilic said.

Former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue training with the Black Cats

Former Arsenal right-back Emmanuel Eboue is training with Sunderland.

 

The 32-year-old has been without a club since the summer, when his contract with Turkish giants Galatasaray expired.

Eboue last played a competitive match in May and is now training with the Black Cats as he looks to find a new club.

Gunners must take note of Liverpool's failure in 2013/14 – this is their best shot at Premier League glory

This was the evidence both the players and fans required to conclude that a first Premier League crown in more than a decade is within their grasp, while bookmakers slashed odds on such a scenario unfolding.


Week by week, it feels like it’s Arsenal’s title to lose – something we’ve said about Arsene Wenger and co. before. The Gunners typically finish the calendar year strongly but fall short in February when the weight of multiple competitions causes irreparable damage.
But this time feels different, purely because of the state of the opposition. Chelsea are in such disarray they’ve called again on the services of Guus Hiddink to steady the ship, while it's looking increasingly likely Louis van Gaal may suffer the same fate as Jose Mourinho if Manchester United’s results don’t improve over Christmas. Manchester City, everyone’s pre-season favourites after an extraordinary summer outlay, seem incoherent without Vincent Kompany and Liverpool look way short of a top-four challenge, let alone a title tilt. It’s a season of uncertainty, turmoil and transition, with Leicester’s astonishing rise to the league’s summit only serving to underline its wacky nature.

Newcastle will survive in the Premier League under Steve McClaren, says Kieron Dyer

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With a huge game against fellow strugglers Aston Villa on Saturday, confidence will be soaring after back-to-back wins propelled them to 15th in the Premier League.

Steve McClaren

McClaren, who failed to win any of his opening nine games, knows the pressure will be back on him if the Magpies fail to beat the bottom side.

But, after watching their impressive 2-1 win at White Hart Lane on Sunday, Dyer believes the club is in safe hands with the ex-England boss at the helm.

'I’ve said numerous times that Steve McClaren was one of the best coaches I’ve ever come across," said the former Toon star, speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.

"His sessions were magnificent so if he keeps getting his ideas across the training pitch, Newcastle will be safe.

Diego Costa rubbishes claims he could return to Atletico Madrid

The Spaniard has been linked with a move back to his homeland after recent reports suggested he is struggling to adapt to life in England.

 

Chelsea have got off to a stuttering start in the Premier League but Costa was back among the goals on Wednesday as they thrashed Maccabi Tel-Aviv in the Champions League.

Chelsea transfer news: 22-goal La Liga hotshot wanted, but Blues face defeat in winger chase

It’s a lot harder to retain a Premier League title than it is to win one, as Manchester City have found out.

Chelsea will now attempt to do this and Jose Mourinho is keen on improving his squad with next season’s Champions League trophy also in his sights.

But just who will be winging their way to Stamford Bridge to strengthen the 2014/15 champions?

Click the right arrow above, right, to find out who is being linked with a transfer to Chelsea…

Antonio Rudiger (Stuttgart) – Click right to find out which 22-goal La Liga hotshot is wanted by the Blues…