In the race to avoid relegation, it appeared Newcastle had the upper hand. They were leading the race and had to play already relegated and hopelessly embarrassing Aston Villa. A 0-0 draw by Newcastle opened the door for either Sunderland or Norwich to take advantage. And Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe busted down that door against Chelsea.
After falling behind twice, Sunderland equalized back and after the second time, took the lead and kept it for good. Taking one touch, Defoe didn’t miss a step as he turned and volleyed the shot into the back of the net to seal three massive points.
With the Sunderland win, Newcastle draw and Norwich loss, Sunderland is out of the relegation zone by a point over Newcastle along with a game in hand and four points over Norwich with two games remaining against Watford and Everton. Newcastle has Tottenham on Sunday. Sunderland and Sam Allardyce may have survived another relegation battle and if that happens, this goal did it.
