Sunderland 3-1 Aston Villa
Jermain Defoe got Sunderland’s 2016 off to a flyer as his double secured a key victory.
Facing an Aston Villa side winless since the opening day of the season, the Black Cats went ahead through Patrick van Aanholt on the half-hour.
Carles Gil netted a well-taken equaliser midway through the second period before Defoe took over.
His first goal, 18 minutes from time, was classic Defoe – a shimmy away from a defender and a bullet of a shot inside the near post.
The prolific frontman wrapped up a huge three points in stoppage time, rifling home from close range.
Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland (Emirates FA Cup)
Sunderland exited the Emirates FA Cup at the first hurdle as holders Arsenal sealed a 3-1 win in North London.
Jeremain Lens produced an excellent display throughout the 90 minutes and the Dutchman’s reward came early on as a tenacious finish put the Black Cats into the lead.
But the Gunners responded soon after through Joel Campbell to ensure the opening period ended level before both sides clattered the woodwork in a frantic opening to the second period.
Both teams made changes but it was Arsene Wenger’s side who came out on top despite a string of superb saves from debutant Jordan Pickford, with Hector Bellerin producing two similar assists for Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud as the Gunners marched into the fourth round.
Swansea City 2-4 Sunderland
Jermain Defoe score his second Sunderland hat-trick as the Black Cats continued their march up the Barclays Premier League table with a 4-2 win at Swansea City.
Defoe opened the scoring with just three minutes played but the Black Cats’ lead was ended 17 minutes later, as a controversial decision allowed Gylfi Sigurdsson to convert from the spot after Andre Ayew appeared to trip over himself in the box.
Kyle Naughton then received a contentious straight red card following a late challenge on Yann M’Vila, but it did little to turn the tide as the 10 men continued their ascendancy and snatched the lead following Ayew’s unforgiving finish.
Patrick van Aanholt’s spectacular strike levelled matters soon after the restart before Lens struck the inside of the post from a tight angle, with Defoe sending Sunderland back into the lead before completing his hat-trick thanks to an impeccable assist from fellow man-of-the-match contender van Aanholt.
Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 Sunderland
Sunderland completed a trilogy of away games with 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
Spurs instantly purred in top gear laying siege to the Black Cats’ defensive line during the opening stages, but after failing to reap the rewards of their dominance Sunderland struck a seismic blow on 40 minutes.
Patrick van Aanholt was the scorer netting his third goal in as many Barclays Premier League games, but within two minutes parity was restored as Christian Eriksen fired a rebound through a crowd of bodies and Lee Cattermole failed to clear off the line.
Dele Alli and Jermain Defoe both went close during the early stages of the second period but it was the home side who edged in front as Mousa Dembele forced the ball home, before Eriksen’s deflected strike dashed into the top corner and Harry Kane dispatched a fourth from the spot.
Sunderland 1-1 AFC Bournemouth
Sunderland recovered from going a goal down early on to claim a point against Bournemouth at the Stadium of Light.
Benik Afobe headed the visitors in front just before the quarter-hour, with the visitors wasting numerous chances to extend the lead.
They were punished by Patrick van Aanholt, who continued his fine goalscoring form with an excellent finish on the stroke of half time.
A point maintains the gap between Sam Allardyce's side and the Cherries, who played well and caused Sunderland problems.
