DEFOE POUNCES TO WIN IT FOR SAM
Striker’s late goal after desperate Dann defending
THIS Sunderl and performance reeked of Sam Allardyce as Jermain Defoe hit a late winner after a resolute defensive display. To say the manager is working his magic is probably a bit far-fetched as this display at Selhurst Park was anything but magical. Indeed, last night’s clash is unlikely to take up much time on both sides’ end of season DVDs.
It was, though, in true Allardyce style, effective. Resolute, uncompromising and tenacious as Defoe snatched the three points.
It was not easy on the eye; but on a night they were expected to be blown away by Palace’s pacy attack, Sunderland stood firm.
Allardyce has clearly used the international break to ram home his message to Sunderland’s relegation-threatened squad. More performances like this and they maybe hope yet that they can pull off a great escape.
Allardyce sprung a tactical surprise, employing a 3-5-2 system. Anything was worth a try with Sunderland second from bottom with just one league victory in 12 matches before last night.
The change appeared to catch Palace on the hop as the visitors started with gusto. Steven Fletcher, partnering Defoe up front missed an early chance before Patrick van Aanholt rippled the side-netting.
Defoe then fashioned himself a yard of space inside the area before firing wide of Wayne Hennessey’s far post. Three chances inside the first 15 minutes; where had this Sunderland been all season?
Palace were dominating posses- sion but lone striker Connor Wickham — making his first start since August after recovering from injury against the club he left in the summer — cut an isolated figure for the home side.
Defoe, in contrast, looked to have the bit between his teeth having been handed a rare start.
Allardyce will listen to offers for the former England international in January as he looks to raise money for a New Year spending spree.
On the evidence of the opening 25 minutes, the Sunderland manager may want to reconsider.
It was not quite vintage Defoe; but even at the age of 33 his movement and guile was enough to keep England hopeful Scott Dann occupied during the early exchanges.
Two speculative efforts from Yannick Bolasie and James McArthur provided the highlights for Palace during the opening 30 minutes. Following their win at Liverpool prior to the international break Pardew would have been well within his rights to be expecting more from his team.
Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha also missed chances as Palace looked to make their possession pay. But this was as watertight Sunderland have looked this season.
The worry for Allardyce, though, was whether his side had fluffed their chance for a vital three points. Surely, Palace would not be as toothless in the second half?
Pardew made a half-time change replacing Jason Puncheon with Bakary Sako in hope of spicing up his attack. Indeed, Palace started the second period with renewed vigour. Crisper passing and a higher tempo; this was more like it from Pardew’s men. Yet, the chances kept coming for Sunderland as Sebastian Coates saw his glancing header from Seb Larsson’s corner cleared off the line by Yohan Cabaye.
Palace’s France international saw his low 30-yard parried by Costel Pantilimon before Billy Jones picked up the first booking of the night for upending Bolasie.
The home side had shaken off their first-half malaise and Sako fired a vicious left- footed shot narrowly wide of Pantilimon’s far-post in the 59th minute.
Allardyce knew it, too, making a double substitution on the hour to reinvigorate his attack as Jermaine Lens and Duncan Watmore replaced Fletcher and Larsson. Pardew was then forced into a change of his own, replacing injured substitute Sako with Chelsea loanee Patrick Bamford.
Zaha and Bolasie were starting to have more of an impact down both flanks for Palace. But Sunderland were undeterred in their search for a winner.
Lens forced Hennessey into a low save in the 74th minute before Van Aanholt fired over the bar as Sunderland pressed for the goal that would give their survival hopes a shot in the arm. And the boost arrived in the 80th minute as Defoe took advantage of a calamitous mix up between Dann and Hennessey to put Sunderland ahead.