DAVID MOYES thinks Sunderland will need five wins from the remaining 12 Premier League games to pull off another great escape after starting another week in the relegation zone.

This is the 177th day the Black Cats have spent in the bottom three this season, more than any other side in the division.

Victory for Crystal Palace over Middlesbrough on Saturday has left Sunderland three points adrift of safety after 26 matches and a 17th defeat of the campaign to Everton has supporters wondering when the next win will arrive.

Second-placed Manchester City are next up at the Stadium of Light on Sunday before a run of three vital games against Burnley, Watford and Leicester City, with the latter two away from home.

Moyes understands his players need to find something extra in the final third to win games, even if he is retaining belief that Sunderland can climb out of trouble in the remaining two-and-a-half months.

The Sunderland boss said: “I just believe that we’ll get a good run somewhere along the line.

“I don’t think it’s too late. We’ve got a tough run – the next game is Man City so I’m not kidding myself.

“We’re in a couple of games where we just have to stick with it. But I think Sunderland have been in a lower state than this and come from behind. I still believe there’s a run. I still think we can win three of four games somewhere – and we are going to have to do that.

“I’ve an idea that I’m going to have to win about ten games to give myself any chance. So I’ve got a bit of work to do between now and the end of the season.”

Sunderland’s only victory in 2017 was at Crystal Palace at the start of the month, so the cynics will be wondering how Moyes can be optimistic that things will take a turn for the better.

He explained: “It’s happened here before at Sunderland, where they’ve had a good run. The way football works sometimes is that you never see it coming. So I’ve got to believe it’s going to happen.

“I thought there were bits in the second half that gave us a wee bit of hope. The players have given a lot, they’ve run as hard as they can but what we are lacking is quality in different areas and that can let you down, whether it’s passing, crossing, finishing, defending. We are just lacking a little bit at important times.”