Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Cardiff City can still stay up

Feb - 12 2014 | By

Cardiff City boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes they can win their battle against Premier League relegation.

His side’s 1-1 draw at home to Stoke leaves Cardiff two points adrift of possible Premier League safety in 18th place with three games to go.

Cardiff’s next match is away to bottom side Sunderland and Solskjaer says it will be like a “cup final”.

“It’s going to be two even teams. They’ve got games in hand so nothing’s impossible for them either,” he added.

“In this league you can beat anyone at anytime if you turn up and the other team is not really at it.

“We’ve just got to be ready for Sunderland.”

The Black Cats made history by inflicting Jose Mourinho’s first home Premier League defeat in 78 games as Chelsea manager in Saturday’s evening game.

That left Sunderland one point behind the Bluebirds, who drew with Stoke earlier in the day.

Before that match Solskjaer said seven points from the Bluebirds’ remaining four fixtures could be enough to secure their top-flight status.

Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic and Cardiff’s Peter Whittingham both scored from the penalty spot in Saturday’s 1-1 draw.

Cardiff then had a goal disallowed before Stoke’s Oussama Assaidi was denied by a superb save from goalkeeper David Marshall – and Solskjaer admits Marshall may well have kept alive Cardiff’s hopes of Premier League survival.

“As Assaidi jinked inside of Kevin Theophile Catherine you think that’s it, he’s going to score there because it’s a nailed on 100% chance, but David’s been absolutely phenomenal this season and he’s saved us again today.

“In a split second there you think [our chance to win and stay up is gone] of course.

“But then he saves it, then they have a chance after and it hits the bar and you think you take a point today.”

Cardiff face title-chasing Chelsea on the last day of the season at home but before that comes trips to Sunderland and Newcastle, with Solskjaer targeting six points from the two games in the North East.

First up is Sunderland, who are just one point behind the Bluebirds following their 2-1 win at Chelsea on Saturday.

“It’s going to be tough,” said the Cardiff boss. “It’s a big one for both teams.”