VEGAN DEFOE STILL THE EVERGREEN ENGLAND OPTION

FORGET about Jermain Defoe at your peril. The striker turns 36 this year, his season has been disrupted by injury and he is further from the headlines playing for mid-table Bournemouth than troubled Sunderland. But Defoe is not done yet. That much was clear as he came off the bench at Watford to score a stoppage-time equaliser with all the hallmarks of the Premier League’s most seasoned, clinical finisher. And with 15, he has scored more last-minute Premier League goals than anyone, which shows how he stays sharp and alert until the final whistle. It is also reflected in his attitude. Defoe is now a vegan, his training-ground manner is admired at Bournemouth and he hasn’t given up on a World Cup spot. Gareth Southgate has younger, inform options but Defoe (right) is as sprightly around the six-yard box as anyone and fancies a run in Bournemouth’s team now he is fully recovered from injury. ‘The fact that he’s able to perform

at this level is down to his professionalism, how he looks after himself, what he eats, how he trains — he’s dedicated to his football,’ said manager Eddie Howe. ‘I know the World Cup was a big part of his mind before the season and Gareth knows him very well — he knows him inside out — so Jermain will still harbour those aims.’ Defoe will get another year in the Premier League — he has two left on his contract and his club look steady on 37 points. And why not? He has scored in 17 consecutive top-flight campaigns and is valued as much as a role model as he is a player. At Watford, he had the coolest head on the field to let a dropping ball bounce and come across his body before knocking in the finish to earn the draw. Josh King scored Bournemouth’s other goal with a penalty as they twice came from behind to earn their 17th point won from a losing position this season. Watford, who led through Kiko Femenia and Roberto Pereyra, let this one slip, even though they had a let-off when referee Andy Madley blundered by not sending off Jose Holebas for a handball that denied a goalscoring opportunity, leading to the penalty. WATFORD (4-2-3-1): Karnezis 7, Janmaat 7, Mariappa 5.5, Prodl 7 (Cathcart 64min, 6), Holebas 5.5; Capoue 6, Doucoure 6.5; Femenia 7 (Richarlison 81), Hughes 7.5 (Okaka 75), Pereyra 7; Deeney 6. Subs not used: Gomes, Ndong, Gray, Lukebakio. Booked: Prodl, Holebas, Doucoure, Okaka. Scorers: Femenia 13, Pereyra 49. Manager: Javi Gracia 6.5. BOURNEMOUTH (4-4-1-1): Begovic 6; Fraser 6, S Cook 6.5, Ake 6.5, Daniels 6; Stanislas 6.5 (Pugh 45, 6), L Cook 6, Gosling 6, Ibe 5 (Defoe 67, 7); King 7; Wilson 6 (Surman 81). Subs not used: Boruc, Simpson, B Smith, Arter. Scorers: King 43 pen, Defoe 90. Manager: Eddie Howe 7. Referee: Andy Madley 6. Attendance: 20,393.