JERMAIN DEFOE’S 150TH Premier League goal and a Victor Anichebe brace secured a 3-0 victory for 10-man Sunderland over fellow strugglers Hull City at the Stadium of Light as the hosts moved off the bottom of the table.
While both teams had come from behind to win their previous fixture after miserable runs of form, goals from captain Defoe and Anichebe, twice, saw the points go Sunderland’s way on Saturday.
The Black Cats had not won any of their previous five meetings with Hull in all competitions, but David Moyes’ men brought that streak to an end despite a second-half power cut causing a temporary floodlight failure on Wearside, as well as a late red card for Papy Djilobodji.
It was a painful afternoon for Mike Phelan – who was sacked as assistant manager at Manchester United when Moyes succeeded Alex Ferguson in 2013 – with his side failing to take their chances before the break as Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford excelled in goal.
Elsewhere, Nathan Ake’s first goal for Bournemouth helped the Cherries end a three-match winless run by beating Stoke City 1-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.
The on-loan Chelsea defender, making his first league start of the season, rose unmarked to head the visitors into a deserved lead with what proved to be the winner midway through the first half at the bet365 stadium, where Bojan missed a penalty for Stoke soon after the break.
Wilfried Bony could well have been sent off for the hosts, as referee Roger East invited criticism for making a series of dubious decisions, while Jack Wilshere hit the post late on as Bournemouth tried to make sure of the result.
Finally, first-half goals from Etienne Capoue and Roberto Pereyra proved enough to secure a fifth Premier League win of the season for Watford as they downed struggling champions Leicester City 2-1 at Vicarage Road.
Capoue volleyed Walter Mazzarri’s men in front after just 33 seconds on Saturday before Pereyra’s curling effort made it 2-0 in the 12th minute.
And although Riyad Mahrez swiftly pulled one back for Leicester from the spot after Miguel Britos had brought down Jamie Vardy, the visitors were ultimately unable to add to their tally of just one league point on the road this term.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
