Jermain Defoe and Sunderland defy critics to beat Newcastle United

Jermain Defoe scored his third goal since joining Sunderland in January. Getty Images

Five. In the short term, Sunderland fans will revel in a fifth straight victory over their north-eastern rivals – they had not even won four in a row before this run began.

But more significant in the long run, putting parochial passions aside, is probably the fact that 64 days after their fourth win of the season, they at last achieved a fifth, lifting them to 15th, three points above the relegation zone.

The goal that won it will live long in the folk history of the fixture, a volley swept in by Jermain Defoe from 25 yards in first-half injury time after Steven Fletcher had flicked on Costel Pantilimon’s long clearance.

If there is a doubt needling away beneath the jubilation, it is that it took a moment of such brilliance to win the game, that for much of the rest of a game they dominated, Sunderland struggled to turn possession into clear chances and could not convert the chances they did create.

Three weeks ago, as they lost 4-0 at home to Aston Villa, Sunderland seemed doomed. Half the crowd left at half time. The change manager Dick Advocaat has effected since then is remarkable, even if the pattern is becoming familiar.

He is the third Sunderland manager in a row to begin his career with a defeat followed by a derby victory: that run stretches back a week less than two years, a period in which Sunderland have won more derbies than they had in the previous 34 years.

No manager can create quality where none exists, but even at West Ham United there were signs of a greater urgency.

Here, Sunderland gripped the game in the opening seconds and only began to release their grasp in the final quarter of an hour.

“They can’t walk any more,” Advocaat said. “They worked their socks off, and football-wise it was much better than the last game. We had to win today – there was a lot of pressure on the team.”

It also seemed telling of Sunderland’s commitment that Defoe was in tears as he walked off at half time, the emotion of his goal having overwhelmed him.

It was his third since joining the club in January on a deal worth £70,000 (Dh384,000) a week, and his first for six weeks. Suddenly, the grumbles about whether he is worth the money have decreased in volume.

Advocaat said he had approached Fletcher after his hat-trick for Scotland against Gibraltar and said, “You’ve done it for Scotland; now do it for us.” He then turned to Defoe and asked if he had to say anything to him.

“No,” the forward replied. “I know what I have to do.”

The key is to keep doing it. Sunderland probably need six or seven points from their final seven games of the season to be safe, and they know they will not find many more accommodating sides than Newcastle United.

“I thought the first half we were dreadful,” manager John Carver said. “I said no side of mine would be criticised for not closing people down, not working hard enough, and I was wrong. I’m embarrassed to be part of this record.”

Carver suggested certain players could not handle the pressure of the derby and said he was asking himself “where the next point’s coming from”.

With 35 points, they should be safe, but yet again Newcastle end the season with a sense of drift and stasis.

Although Sunderland would love six points more, they at least have a sense of fighting for something and hope of an upturn.

REPORT CARD

Man of the match: Jordi Gomez

Gomez was as neat and tidy as ever, a welcome island of calm amid the storm, but also showed a pleasing spikiness.

Sunderland 7/10 Probably their best home performance of the season when they needed it most.

Newcastle 2/10 A dismal display from a side that has lost its way badly since the turn of the year. No fight, no energy, so sense of assertiveness.

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