Defoe targets 150th Premier League goal

Sunderland goal machine Jermaine Defoe is targeting his 150th Premier League goal this season saying it would be a special achievement for him.

Defoe’s 15 goals last season for Sunderland helped the club avoid relegation and took him to 143 Premier League strikes, seven shy of Michael Owen.

The Black Cats striker’s first chance to add to his tally is against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and a single goal would see him draw level with Robin van Persie.

If he reaches the 150-mark he will have surpassed the achievements of Teddy Sheringham and Les Ferdinand in the all-time list.

“I used to watch other forwards and that was all I wanted to do was play in the top league and score goals,” he said.

(Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

“Hopefully I can get those seven goals quickly and for me on a personal note it would be a great achievement.

“To get 150 would be special because if you look at the list of players, there are some unbelievable players in there.

“I remember playing for my school and district and always dreamt about doing it, being in the Premier League and scoring goals but you can never imagine scoring 150 Premier League goals.

“I know I haven’t done it yet but I’ve always believed that I could do it.”

Alan Shearer is top of the Premier League goal-scoring charts with 260 goals from 441 games with Wayne Rooney in second on 188 goals.