London: Jermain Defoe made himself an instant Sunderland hero with a sensational volleyed goal to seal a vital 1-0 win over North East rivals Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday.
Londoner Defoe, signed in January from MLS side Toronto to help Sunderland climb away from danger, sent a dipping thunderbolt over Newcastle keeper Tim Krul just before half-time to send the home fans into delirium.
It proved enough to earn Sunderland a first league win in eight attempts and give manager Dick Advocaat a victory in his second match in charge since replacing Gus Poyet.
Relegation-haunted Sunderland moved up to 15th place in the table, three points above third-from-bottom Burnley who had earlier drawn 0-0 at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
It was Sunderland's fifth derby win in a row and they deserved the spoils after playing the better football in a typically frenetic clash, with Defoe impressive throughout.
His winner arrived out of nowhere in first half stoppage time and in its own way was just as spectacular as Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam's 60-metre goal at Chelsea on Saturday.
A long punt forward was flicked on by Steven Fletcher and Defoe, lurking just outside the area, connected with his left foot, sending the ball on an unstoppable trajectory over Krul.
The former England striker appeared close to tears as he walked off the Stadium of Light pitch at the break and was given a standing ovation when he was substituted later.
Newcastle applied some late pressure in a desperate bid to avoid a fourth consecutive league defeat and the home fans had their hearts in their mouths when Ayoze Perez fizzed a volley just over the crossbar as full-time approached.
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