A draw is never a bad result away from home but after the way Sunderland had played in the first half, manager Gus Poyet was left regretting a missed opportunity for a rare three points on the road.
Poyet’s side played magnificently well in the first half, where they seemed to be a more confident side with the presence of a proper centre forward in the team. This aforementioned striker was of course Jermain Defoe, who had only recently joined the club from Toronto FC in the MLS, and had only got off
the mark a week earlier at the Stadium of Light against Burnley.
With Defoe on the side, Sunderland had a focal point and a player who knew where the net was. This pleased Poyet who thought his side could have kicked on after their first half display where a typical Defoe goal that included quick feet, a cut inside and a snap shot put us in front.
“It was a shame at the end but we were very good in the first half and that can give us the confidence to keep getting results.”
Despite being under pressure for the majority of the second half, the away side held on thanks to the exploits of their goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon who was in outstanding form to keep many Swansea opportunites out.
Unfortunately, they were haunted by a former Sunderland player when Ki Sung-yeung levelled the game after Defoe’s opener. As was becoming a trend throughout the season, he easily got away from a Sunderland defender (John O’Shea) to head into the net from close range.
Whilst the Swans tried to pressure the Sunderland goal, we held on for a valuable point and after the game, there was more talk about the new Black Cats centre forward Defoe who was looking sharper with every game that passed after four months of now matches in the MLS.
Such was his form that Poyet stated his team were a ‘different side’ with him in it and suggested that even England manager may look at Defoe for the upcoming European Championships in France.
“When you pick strikers you pick those in form and scoring goals,”
“We saw today Harry Kane at Spurs and it’s an obvious choice, but Jermain has a chance if Wayne Rooney plays in midfield. But that’s up to Roy [Hodgson] to decide. I respect the manager of the national team and the only thing the player can do is perform.”
“When you’ve got a player sooner or later that you know is going to score it makes the rest of the team believe that you’ve got a chance to win football games.
In many ways, the best from Defoe was yet to come with bigger performances and goals ahead in the rest of this season but especially the following season when Big Sam Allardyce came through the revolving door of managers at the club.
Additionally, Poyet was correct that Defoe’s form for his club eventually brought him into the England frame where Gareth Southgate rewarded his form for the club.
