Sunderland threw away the lead and lost 3-1 at Portsmouth on Monday to stay in danger of relegation from the Premier League. Although Kenwyne Jones gave the Black Cats a 59th minute lead, John Utaka equalized a minute later. An own goal by Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley and Armand Traore's late goal confirmed Portsmouth's victory. The loss left Sunderland with 36 points in 16th place with only two points more than 18th place Newcastle. Last place West Bromwich Albion is already sure to go down and next-to-last Middlesbrough has to win its final game and hope that Hull, in 17th place, loses heavily. Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch headed against the post after only four minutes at Fratton Park. But Jones almost captured the lead for Sunderland just before halftime with a glancing header that hit the inside of the post. Sunderland went in front when defender Calum Davenport moved upfield and crossed for Jones to shoot home with a first time drive. But the home side was level within a minute when a header by Crouch bounced off Grant Leadbitter and the ball rolled to Utaka who shot home. Seven minutes later, Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand failed to deal with a long ball and Utaka got clear. The striker beat goalkeeper Marton Fulop and defender Phil Bardsley, trying to clear the ball, could only turn it into his own net. Traore added the third goal with two minutes remaining. Lazio game moved Lazio's Serie A game with Reggina will be played on Wednesday rather than next Sunday to allow Rome's Stadio Olimpico to be prepared for the Champions League final, the Italian league said in a statement on Monday. Serie A matches on the penultimate weekend of the season are supposed to be played at the same time so teams do not gain an advantage from knowing other scores. Despite Reggina being involved in a relegation battle, an exception has been made in this case after UEFA asked for the keys to the Stadio Olimpico seven days before the May 27 final between holder Manchester United and Barcelona. Juve sacks coach Ranieri Juventus on Monday fired coach Claudio Ranieri and replaced him with junior team coach and former player Ciro Ferrara, the club said in a statement. Ranieri, a former boss at Chelsea and Valencia, is the first Juve coach in 40 years to be fired from his post. Ferrara also made 49 appearances for Italy and played in the 1990 World Cup and the team that finished runner-up in the European Championships in 2000.
