Jermain Defoe gives Sunderland derby victory over Newcastle

A wonder-strike from Jermain Defoe gave Sunderland a 1-0 victory against Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear derby.

The result gave the Mackems a vital three points in their hopes of survival and takes them up into 15th, three points clear of the drop zone.

Newcastle struggled to impose themselves on the game and failed to register a shot on target in the first half. Sunderland dominated possession and their front three of Steven Fletcher, Connor Wickham and Defoe caused their opponents a number of problems.

It was Fletcher’s flick-on that found Defoe, who hit an exquisite first-time volley past Tim Krul just before half time.

There was little response from Newcastle, as star players Moussa Sissoko and Ayoze Perez both failed to show up for the big occasion. Meanwhile, Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat was able to celebrate his first victory in the Premier League.

3’ - CHANCE! Connor Wickham has been involved a lot in these opening minutes. The striker, sporting a smart-looking beard, plays a teasing through-ball for Defoe but it doesn't quite reach him. Sunderland are up for this one...

8’ - CLEARANCE! Good work from Billy Jones, who volleys in the corner towards the six yard box but it's cleared by Newcastle.

17’ - APPLAUSE! Sunderland fans join in with their North East rivals in a minute's standing ovation for John Alder and Liam Sweeney, two Newcastle fans who passed away in the Malaysian Airlines crash. A lovely example of solidarity.

38’ - BOOKING! First booking of the Derby is for Vergini, who was clearly holding Perez back on the halfway line.

45’ - GOAL!Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle. Sunderland goalkick is flicked on by Fletcher and Defoe hits a perfect, first-time volley into the top corner. A weekend of excellent strikes continues...

61' - BOOKING! Second biggest cheer of the day as Jack Colback is booked for swiping away Gomez's leg as the Spaniard cleared.

87' - CHANCE! A head-in-hands moment for Perez. Janmaat flicks on the corner and Perez smashes it over. He looks mortified.

Jermain Defoe has scored in 3 of his last 5 Premier League games v Newcastle United.

Poyet and Di Canio both had their second match in charge against Newcastle and won - Advocaat continues this trend.

Sunderland looked a side reborn against Newcastle: Advocaat has clearly injected some new life into the Black Cats. However, he'll know more than anyone that the job isn't over yet. The real question is whether they can use this momentum to secure survival in their remaining seven fixtures.

Jermain Defoe (Sunderland): The striker not only scored the deciding goal but was a constant menace to Newcastle's back four. Today's strike was his 127th Premier League goal.

Sunderland: Pantilimon 6, Jones 7, van Aanholt 8, O'Shea 7, Vergini 6, Cattermole 7, Gomez 7, Larsson 6, Fletcher 7, Wickham 7, Defoe 8. Subs: Mannone, Bridcutt, Johnson 5, Reveillere, Graham, Coates, Buckley.

Newcastle: Krul 5, R.Taylor 5, Janmaat 5, Williamson 5, Colback 6, Sissoko 5, Gutierrez 7, Gouffran 5, Ameobi 5, Cabella 6, Perez 6. Subs: Elliot, Anita, Abeid, Kemen, Obertan, Riviere 5, Armstrong 4.