DEFOE, A SUBSTITUTE AGAINST FLEETWOOD TOWN

Veteran striker Jermaine Defoe was a substitute for Sunderland as they came from behind to beat Fleetwood Town at home in a League One clash played earlier in the week. Jermaine Defoe returned to Sunderland during the January transfer window and he has been involved with the Black Cats’ first-team since then.


Fleetwood Town took the lead against Sunderland through new signing  Elliott Harrison who was signed from fellow League One team Portsmouth during the January transfer window. His goal was the difference between the two teams at the break.

Sunderland manager Alex Neil made a bold substitution at the start of the second half as Jermaine Defoe came on for Kosovan defender ArbenitXhemajli in the quest to get back into the game and he played his part to ensure that Sunderland scored three goals on the way to picking up the three points on offer.

Elliot Embletonscored the first of the three Sunderland goals to cancel out the opener from Harrison on 28 minutes. Embleton scored the Black Cats equaliserwith ten second half minutes. Sunderland and Fleetwood Town were heading for a draw before the second and third Black Cats arrived in the last eight minutes. Sunderland went ahead for the first time in the game through Luke O’Nien on 82 minutes before winger Jack Clarke wrapped up the three points with the third goal in the first minute of added time shortly after Zak Jules was sent off. Jules was given an early bath after he received a second yellow card three minutes before the end of the game.

With the win over Fleetwood Town at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday, Sunderland were able to boost their quest to secure promotion to the English Championship. The Black Cats are now unbeaten in four league games after the win over Fleetwood Town.