In two seasons with Sunderland, Jermain Defoe has managed to save Sunderland from relegation twice. Goals are key to survival, and Defoe consistently provides them from the forward position. He’s been doing so for almost sixteen years — since his Premier League debut with West Ham United during the 2000-01 season.
Defoe’s greatest EPL return was 18 goals during the 2009-10 season. You’d expect, at 33 years of age, that his goalscoring ability would’ve plummeted since then. You’d be wrong.
Defoe scored 15 goals last year, and he’s already off the mark this season with a classy finish against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. What was supposed to be the perfect opponent to begin life in the Premier League for Guardiola almost turned into a nightmare following Defoe’s 71st minute strike.
However, an own goal from Sunderland’s Paddy McNair spared City’s blushes. Defoe’s late substitution raised many eyebrows in the Sunderland away end, and his absence on the pitch was keenly felt during the last few minutes. For David Moyes, it wasn’t the greatest of managerial decisions.
Having been left off England’s Euro 2016 squad, Defoe looks sharper than ever. The English striker simply refuses to age.
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