Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has said the club’s potent goal threat could be key to their survival hopes.

Swans slayed

The Wearsiders brought themselves within one point of safety on Wednesday. A Defoe hat trick and another from Patrick Van Aanholt gave them a crucial 4-2 win over Swansea City, to add to the three points managed and three goals scored against Aston Villa in the previous league meeting.

This means the Black Cats have now scored 26 goals in their 21 matches so far, which sees them have superior tally to that of top-half sides Stoke City, Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Watford.

Vital forwards

With 17 matches to save their top-flight status, Defoe, who has regained his place as the club's leading forward in the last few weeks, believes that their threat will be key going forward.

Defoe told the Northern Echo that the club have the players that can “score goals” which he says is “important”.

He added that it wasn’t just him that proved a threat, but the likes of Jeremain Lens, Adam Johnson and Fabio Borini.

The praise that has been heaped upon the Sunderland forwards lately, however, cannot be given to the defence too, with them again failing to keep a clean sheet last time out. Nonetheless, Defoe said it is important to remain “solid” and if they do that, they can then rely on the forwards to “get the chances and score”.

Defoe celebrates his goal-scoring heroics at the Liberty Stadium. | Photo: Andrew Orchard
Defoe celebrates his goal-scoring heroics at the Liberty Stadium. | Photo: Andrew Orchard

Defoe added that the players are “confident” and, despite the number of matches in a short space of time, he said that the squad are “looking forward to them.” Having been “delighted” with back-to-back wins, they will look to “kick on” from that too.

Massive match

The focus will now turn to Saturday when they take on the high-flying - and Defoe’s former club - Tottenham Hotspur in the lunchtime kick-off.

Defoe spoke about visiting his former club too, saying the game is “massive,” but he admitted it will be “difficult” going to White Hart Lane, even if it will be “special” on a personal note.

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About the author
Danial  Kennedy
Award-winning sports journalism graduate. Currently studying a PR Masters at the University of Sunderland. Writing for VAVEL since August 2014. Twitter - @ddkjournalism.