Sam Allardyce thinks Jermain Defoe could be Sunderland's main man in survival fight
Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has hailed hat-trick hero Jermain Defoe after the striker's hat-trick secured a precious 4-2 victory over relegation rivals Swansea.
Defoe took his Barclays Premier League tally for the season to nine as Sunderland moved above neighbours Newcastle on goal difference and within a point of Swansea, who occupy the final safety position.
Asked if Defoe's goals were the key to leading Sunderland from trouble, Allardyce replied: "I think so. When you look at the two front men at Watford and the two front men at Leicester, those two score all the goals.
"We've got Jermain scoring all our goals, so at the moment we've only got one. But one will be enough if he continues to score like he does.
Defoe's heroics ensured back-to-back league wins for Sunderland, but the game was shrouded in controversy with rookie Premier League referee Graham Scott criticised by both managers after the game.
Scott was only appointed for his fourth Premier League game on Monday after original referee Andre Marriner fell ill:
Defoe might easily have been adjudged offside for his first two goals and Swansea were fortunate to be awarded a penalty when Andre Ayew fell after appearing to kick the ground rather than being tripped.
And Swansea defender Kyle Naughton received a straight red card close to half-time with the score at 1-1, although the full-back clearly won the ball for his challenge on Sunderland midfielder Yann M'Vila.
"I thought it was a soft red card. I thought it was a yellow card," Allardyce said about Naughton's dismissal.
"I think he got the ball but the follow through caught him. For me it's get upand get on with it, give him a foul.
"I thought the penalty against us was a very soft penalty and that changed the game because we were in total control at that point."
Swansea manager Alan Curtis felt Naughton's departure changed the course of the game and said the club would appeal the red card.
"I don't want to criticise referees but I think he got the big ones wrong tonight," Curtis said.
"Decisions can take the game away from you. We were fortuitous with thepenalty decision for us.
Swansea have only won once in six league games since Curtis succeeded Garry Monk last month and, having sold England midfielder Jonjo Shelvey to Newcastle for £12million, the need for reinforcements is essential.