DEFOE CAN STILL DO IT
But England snub him
JERMAIN DEFOE insists he can still bang in goals for England.
The veteran striker has not pulled on a Three Lions shirt since facing Chile nearly three years ago and was snubbed again by national team boss Sam Allardyce yesterday.
The 33-year-old Sunderland ace has scored 24 times since returning to the Premier League after a stint in the MLS with Toronto.
Defoe, who has 19 goals in 55 England appearances, said: “If I’m scoring goals in the Premier League then why not?
“There’s no difference between international football and Premier League football, it is still the same. If you get a chance in the game you’ve got to score.
“England is always at the back of your mind when you are scoring goals, which is what I get judged on.
Netting
“But I’ve always said, just concentrate on my club football and see what happens.”
Defoe continued his fine early-season form by netting his second goal of the campaign from the penalty spot.
Defoe picked himself up after he had been felled by a sloppy Jose Fonte tackle to smash high into the top left corner.
But substitute Jay Rodriguez grabbed his first goal since March 2014 to earn a point and end his injury hell.
Rodriguez has managed only 14 league appearances since having his World Cup 2014 dream shattered by a knee injury. But he fired under young keeper Jordan Pickford with five minutes to go. Rodriguez was set to SOUTHAMPTON: (4-1-2-1-2): Cedric 6, Van Forster 6; Dijk 7, Fonte 5, Targett Romeu 6; HOJBJERG 6; 8 (Ward-Prowse 82), 7; Tadic 7 (Long 67, 7); Davis (Rodriguez Redmond 5, Austin 4 74). Subs: McCarthy, Bertrand, Yoshida, Clasie. UP NEXT: Arsenal League, Saturday, (a), Premier September 10. SUNDERLAND: (4-3-3): Manquillo Pickford 7; 6, Kone 7, DJILOBODJI Aanholt 6; Rodwell 8, Van 6, Pienaar 6 (Lens 67, Gooch 7 (Love 77); 5), Borini 7 (Watmore 64, Defoe 7, Januzaj 5 UP 6), NEXT: Everton (h), Premier League, Monday, Referee: September 12. Lee Mason 8. YOUR TURN: Which defender scored 10-man Saints’ 90th-minute equaliser draw in their 1-1 home with Sunderland last season? join West Brom on loan before the window shuts on Wednesday, but defender Cedric Soares has begged him to stay.
Right-back Cedric, who signed a bumper four-year deal last week, said: “It is not my decision but I think he’s a fantastic player and for sure if he stays he’s going to be very helpful for all ofthe team.
“He’s a fantastic player but we have a lot of good players in the front. It is going to be a very interesting competition between them.
“It was a tough moment for him but he came back. Scoring showed he is also strong mentally. So I wish he keeps going, keeps staying fit and keeps showing his value.”
Sunderland manager David Moyes has warned fans to expect a relegation dogfight this season, but Defoe disagrees.
He said: “Maybe he was joking, I don’t know. As a player, I never really think that. I take each match as it comes.
“I can’t turn round and say it’s a relegation fight. It’s never easy. But it is never easy for any team.”