Defoe still positive despite Sunderland’s start to season

Striker Jermain Defoe is in fine form this season – but the same cannot be said for many of his Sunderland teammates.

The Black Cats threw away a two-goal lead given to them by Defoe last weekend, before seeing Crystal Palace win it in stoppage time through Christian Benteke’s last-minute header.

The turning point of the game came when David Moyes’ side conceded a goal to make it 2-1 just 30 seconds after giving themselves some breath spacing with Defoe’s second.

The eventual loss was greeted with a chorus of boos at the Stadium of Light but Defoe is not feeling too downhearted about his side’s start to the season.

The Black Cats sit bottom of the table after six rounds with only one point to their name – but the former England front man sees signs of encouragement.

“We’re improving that’s for sure but when you go two nil up and then concede within 30 seconds it’s not good enough,” he said.

 (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

“I think all of the players know that but especially the way the game went, you have to win it two nil up, you need to win it and it’s frustrating because we need the points at the moment.

“Even if we had drawn the game, I would have been disappointed – to come away with nothing though is very hard indeed to take.

“When you score a goal and you celebrate, it stops then and you need switch on. It’s frustrating not to react and then concede 30 seconds later – it changed the momentum.

“We are so disappointed by the result but strangely that are a number of positives we feel we can take out of the game.”