PAYS DIVIDENDS

TURNS OF KIRCHHOFF AND LARSSON TO MIDFIELD ADD TO THE FEELGOOD FACTOR AROUND THE STADIUM OF LIGHT

have what it takes to get out of trouble again.

Lamine Kone and Papy Djilobodji were immense at the back, a dominant and powerful display from the duo. Djilobodji made a crucial second-half block to deny Islam Slimani before Sunderland took the lead.

Billy Jones was excellent again at full-back, with van Aanholt linking up well with man-of-the-match contender Anichebe all afternoon down the left. Defoe did what he does best.

Pickford, after an unusually nervous start, kept Sunderland’s lead intact late on.

A real team performance will have pleased Moyes the most.

Denayer and Pienaar, who suffered his blurred vision after a nasty collision with Marc Albrighton before half-time, impressed alongside Didier Ndong in central midfield, Sunderland lining up in a 4-33 formation.

Watmore, too, was enjoying his best performance of the season until a Christian Fuchs challenge ended his afternoon, Watmore leaving the pitch on a stretcher.

Leicester are having a tough time of it this season and Sunderland made them look average. Jamie Vardy’s radar was off, Riyad Mahrez lacklustre, with signs of defensive frailties at the back.

Sunderland may be below the Foxes in the table, but they won’t be for long on this evidence.

Moyes has got the Black Cats purring ahead of a huge game against basement side Swansea City this weekend.

es Morgan, while Sunderland’s delirious players (right) mob Jan Kirchhoff, whose header led to the Robert Huth own goal which gave the Wearsiders the lead, with Didier Ndong late to the party.

Sub Seb Larsson drives at the Leicester defence