Defoe doubles up for Black Cats as Villa let Garde down
THAT is why you play Jermain Defoe. That is why you make allowances for his reluctance to be involved with anything other than goalmouth action. That is why he remains Sunderland’s best hope of beating the drop.
Manager Sam Allardyce, like Dick Advocaat before him, has wrestled with his conscience when it comes to Defoe, accepting his value as a goalscorer but also mindful of his defensive limitations.
Yesterday, the latter did not matter as the 33-yearold scored a second-half brace to end a five-match losing run.
On the eve of the game, Allardyce labelled the visit of the bottom club as the ‘biggest of the season’. He was grateful that his side boasted the big-game player.
‘Thank God for Jermain Defoe and his finishing qualities. They were massive goals,’ said the Sunderland boss, whose side are now four points from safety.
Sunderland were almost embarrassed to take a firsthalf lead when, against the run of play, Patrick van Aanholt’s shot deflected in off Micah Richards.
Carles Gill levelled in stunning fashion and Villa looked the likely winners as the contest approached the final 17 minutes. Enter Defoe.
He had barely had a kick all afternoon when he received a pass from Adam Johnson inside the penalty area. Still with work to do, he stole half-a-yard as he nudged the ball clear of minder Joleon Lescott before smashing through Brad Guzan and into the back of the net.
Defoe made sure of three points with his ninth of the season in stoppagetime.
‘Jermain is 33 but he’s fit as a fiddle. He uses his energy very well indeed and conserves it for the right times,’ said Allardyce.
Villa manager Remi Garde did not show for his post-match briefing with the written press – breaking Premier League rules – and his team remain 11 points adrift.