Sunderland face a challenging trip to one of the inform teams in the Premier League on Saturday, Everton.
The Toffees welcome the Black Cats knowing that no side has taken more points in their top-flight matches since the turn of the year.
Ronald Koeman’s men have racked up 14 points, the joint highest along with Tottenham Hotspur.
As well as that, star striker Romelu Lukaku is one goal away from equalling Duncan Ferguson’s record as top Premier League scorer for Everton (60).
The Belgian striker has scored seven times in the Premier League against the Black Cats, his joint favourite opponent in the competition along with West Ham.
But while the stats suggest Sunderland will be in for a tough afternoon at Goodison Park, Seb Larsson admitted ‘strange things happen’ at this stage of the season – something that’s well worth remembering. . .
The Black Cats head to Merseyside looking to secure back-to-back wins on the road (in the Premier League) for the first time since May 2014.
That was when Gus Poyet’s side defeated Manchester United and Chelsea as Sunderland clawed their way to safety.
Defoe’s two goals at Selhurst Park at the start of February moved the 34-year-old onto 14 Premier League goals for the season.
The talismanic forward is now one behind last season’s top-flight haul for the Black Cats and four off equalling his best EVER season, recorded at Spurs in 2009/10.
