Former Toronto FC hitman Jermain Defoe gave Sunderland fans something to love with a brilliant performance in Saturday’s win over struggling Aston Villa.
Though his tapped-in hat trick attempt was ruled offside, the Black Cats striker worked Joleon Lescott to lash a left-footed shot past Brad Guzan and inside the near post.
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Later, the 33-year-old Londoner finished off Ola Toivonen’s solid work to side-foot a high shot over Guzan, earning Sunderland a 7-point gap over Villa and moving to within four points of Premier League safety.
Premier League Players of the Week
Week 1: Riyad Mahrez, Leicester City
Week 2: Romelu Lukaku, Everton
Week 3: Callum Wilson, Bournemouth
Week 4: Bafetimbi Gomis, Swansea City
Week 5: Steven Naismith, Everton
Week 6: Anthony Martial, Manchester United
Week 7: Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal
Week 8: Sergio Aguero, Manchester City
Week 9: Raheem Sterling, Manchester City
Week 10: Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur
Week 11: Arouna Kone, Everton
Week 12: Jesse Lingard, Manchester United
Week 15: Riyad Mahrez, Leicester City
Week 16: Ayoze Perez, Newcastle United
Week 17: Odion Ighalo, Watford
Week 19: Xherdan Shaqiri, Stoke City
Week 20: Jermain Defoe, Sunderland