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Cats Terrible

David Moyes guides Sunderland to the joint-worst ever start to a Premier League season… alongside Man City

The Black Cats have endured a horror start to the 2016-17 season after failing to win in their opening ten league games

SUNDERLAND'S horror start under David Moyes has officially become the joint worst Premier League opening ever on Saturday.

The Black Cats have picked up a meagre two points from their first ten games, failing to notch a single victory.

 David Moyes has endured an horrific start to life at Sunderland this season
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David Moyes has endured an horrific start to life at Sunderland this seasonCredit: Reuters

After losing 4-1 to Arsenal at the Stadium of Light they now share the record for the worst ever start to a Premier League season.


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Their two draws and eight losses sees them sit at the bottom of the table for most of the season - and even with 29 games to play, they look all but certain to face the drop.

It's hard to imagine these days, but the only other team to pick up just two points from their opening ten games is Manchester City.

 Sunderland have equalled the worst ever start to a season after losing to Arsenal
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Sunderland have equalled the worst ever start to a season after losing to ArsenalCredit: Getty Images

Back in the 1995-96 season under Alan Ball, City lost eight and drew two of their opening ten clashes.

They recovered to an extent, but were still relegated, finishing 18th in the Premier League.

Three teams have notched just three points from their opening set of ten - Swindon in 1993-94, Everton in 1994-95 and Crystal Palace more recently in 2013-14.

Just one of those teams - the Robins - ended up being relegated, with the Toffees and Eagles recovering to finish 15th and 11th respectively... So should Sunderland draw, that could be absolutely crucial.

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Man City are no longer the only team to pick up just two points from first ten games

Incredibly, NINE teams have started off a season with just four points from their opening ten weekends.

Southampton have done so twice in 1993-94 and 2012-13 - surviving on both occasions - as well as Blackburn, Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth, QPR, Burnley and Aston Villa.

The 2013-14 Sunderland side also picked up just four points... And avoided the dreaded drop despite the managerial merry-go-round that saw Paolo Di Canio, Kevin Ball and Gus Poyet take the reins at the Stadium of Light.

 Last season's hapless Aston Villa squad mustered just four points from their opening ten games en route to relegation to the Championship
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Last season's hapless Aston Villa squad mustered just four points from their opening ten games en route to relegation to the ChampionshipCredit: Reuters

Of the nine sides to pick up just four points from their opening ten games, four managed to avoid dropping to the second tier - with the Owls, Pompey, QPR, Burnley and Villa failing to overcome their horror start.

So, if Sunderland are to escape the drop, they'll need to start picking up some points, quickly.

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