Sunderland have named Sam Allardyce as their new manager on a two-year deal.

The Premier League club announced the news yesterday evening, having opened talks with him in a bid to replace Dick Advocaat, who left his post last Sunday.

The news of Allardyce’s arrival to the Stadium of Light means the Black Cats will have someone in place ahead of their trip to West Brom on October 17.

Allardyce has been on holiday in Spain as Sunderland’s interest in him became an open secret, but chairman Ellis Short has persuaded him to resume his career on Wearside following his exit from West Ham after four years at the end of last season.

Deschamps happy with Benzema

France coach Didier Deschamps felt striker Karim Benzema had emphatically proved a point after striking twice in the 4-0 friendly win over Armenia on Thursday.

The in-form Real Madrid forward finally came good for France after just one goal in his previous 12 internationals with a fine display in Nice.

Deschamps said: “I’m very happy for Karim. It’s always important that attackers score goals... the case is closed.”

The only downside for Benzema was a hamstring injury suffered late in the game.

Chelsea, Arsenal fined by English FA

Both Chelsea and Arsenal have been handed fines by the English FA following the behaviour of their players in last month’s London derby.

In an ill-tempered game, Arsenal had both Gabriel and Santi Cazorla sent off as Chelsea won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Gabriel’s red card was later rescinded while Blues striker Diego Costa was later handed a three-match ban after his tussle with the Brazilian – which led to the FA charging both clubs with failure to control their players.

An FA statement read: “Chel-sea and Arsenal have been fined £40,000 and £30,000 respectively and warned as to their future conduct.”

Goetze injured

Germany’s Mario Goetze, who limped off injured in their Euro 2016 1-0 qualifying loss to Ireland, will miss their final Group D game against Georgia tomorrow as the world champions look to book their spot in next year’s finals, coach Joachim Loew said.

Goetze was replaced by Andre Schuerrle in the 35th minute of their surprise loss and ruled out with a likely adductor muscle injury for tomorrow’s game as Germany failed to seal qualification in their first defeat to Ireland in a competitive game.

“There is no way that Mario Goetze will be there,” Loew told reporters, adding that captain Bastian Schweinsteiger was also doubtful.

Aguero to miss Paraguay game

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will miss Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Paraguay next week after aggravating a leg injury in his team’s shock 2-0 defeat by Ecuador.

Aguero passed a fitness test ahead of the match in Buenos Aires but limped off early on.

Coach Gerardo Martino said the injury to his left leg meant he would not make the game.

“Aguero had a problem from his last game with City, where he played well for 65 minutes,” Martino told reporters.

“We looked after him this week, he was moving well but he felt the strain and unfortunately we are going to lose him.”

Blatter appeals

Sepp Blatter has filed an official appeal against his suspension from soccer by FIFA’s ethics committee, the New York Times said.

Blatter, the Swiss who has been president of the global soccer body FIFA since 1998, was suspended on Thursday by the association’s ethics committee.

The 79-year-old is currently facing a Swiss criminal investigation.

The New York Times said it had obtained a copy of Blatter’s appeal against the suspension.

In it, the paper reported that Blatter objected to brusque and unfair treatment. Blatter’s legal team also demanded to see the ethics committee’s case file and sought a hearing to argue their case in full.

Aussies jolted

Australia’s surprise 2-0 World Cup qualifying loss to Jordan was a massive learning curve, midfielder Massimo Luongo said, with the Asian champions needing to be more cautious in future to avoid conceding counter attack goals.

The West Asians went top of Group B after second-half strikes from Hasan Abdel Fattah and Hamza Al Dardour handed them victory in Amman on Thursday as the Socceroos suffered their first defeat of the campaign.

Luongo said: “We won’t steer away from where we’re trying to go with our football, it’s just we might be a bit more cautious, we know what can hurt us now.”

Jordan have 10 points from four matches in the pool, one ahead of Australia with only the top spot guaranteed a passage through to the next round of World Cup qualifiers in Asia.