Saturday 16 April 2016 22:21, UK
After scoring in Sunderland's 3-0 win at Norwich, Jermain Defoe is proving key to his side's bid to stay in the Premier League, writes Peter Smith...
Fabio Borini won and converted a penalty to open the scoring. Duncan Watmore sealed the victory in injury time. But Jermain Defoe's lunging tap-in for Sunderland's second against Norwich was crucial.
Its importance wasn't lost on Sunderland's manager Sam Allardyce. "Today (Defoe) put us on the right track, scoring a second goal at the right time and that made life more desperate for Norwich. They had to throw everything at us and that left the door open at the back for us to score the third."
The former England striker has made a habit of scoring key goals for Sunderland this season. Saturday's effort was Defoe's 10th in 14 Premier League away games in 2015/16 and his goals have earned his side 12 precious points.
Defoe, once again playing as a lone striker, received praise from his boss after the game for the way he has adapted to his current role. Allardyce says the player has busted the myth that he couldn't do it on his own up front.
He told the Daily Mail this week that he relishes being the difference-maker for his team. "That's my mentality," he said. "Maybe that puts more pressure on myself, I don't know. But I want my team-mates to think: 'If we are solid and keep them out and then get one chance then JD will score' That's why I came here, to this big club. To make the difference and keep this club in the Premier League."
With 13 Premier League goals to his name so far this season, Defoe is certainly responding to that challenge. He's scored a third of Sunderland's total haul and only six Premier League players have managed to net more.
However, more importantly, it is how Defoe compares with the other leading strikers in the relegation battle which should offer Sunderland fans hope.
No other forward at Norwich, Sunderland, Newcastle or Aston Villa is in double figures. Only the Magpies' Aleksandar Mitrovic (eight) has scored more than half as many goals as Defoe - although Newcastle midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has nine.
A star striker is invaluable in the fight against relegation. Just ask Aston Villa supporters who watched Christian Benteke net 13 times to keep their club above the dotted line last season, before his sale to Liverpool contributed to their relegation this time around.
Still a point behind Norwich and with Arsenal visiting the Stadium of Light next weekend, Sunderland aren't out of the woods yet. But, as the battle for survival heats up, Defoe could be the difference between success and failure. And that's just the way he likes it.
