Defoe’s landmark goal in Black Cats victory was ‘meant to be’

Jermain Defoe equalled Michael Owen’s Premier League haul by scoring his 150th goal on Saturday – and he admits for the strike to come in a winning effort made it all the sweeter.

Sunderland followed up their first league win of the campaign against Bournemouth with a 3-0 victory over Hull to lift them off the foot of the table.

Former England striker Defoe opened the scoring with a typically searing run and finish before his strike partner Victor Anichebe scored a double in the second half.

The result lifts a little bit more pressure on Black Cats manager David Moyes – but Defoe is adamant his side’s poor form to start the season is now in the rearview mirror.

 (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)

“It feels amazing,” said the striker. “The manager said some nice things about me in his pre-match press conference about me reaching 150, but to get it at home in front of these fans is special.

“I wanted to do it at the Stadium of Light so to do it here in a big game that we’ve won, and earn back-to-back wins, was meant to be, and I believe it was meant to happen like this so I’m delighted.

“When you get back-to-back wins, which is never easy at any stage of the season, and have good performances its important.

“There is so much more this team is going to bring between now and the end of the season.”