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Premier League

Jan 13, 2016 at 7.45pm UK

Swansea Swansea City
2-4
Sunderland

Sigurdsson (21' pen.), Ayew (40')
Naughton (37')

FT(HT: 2-1)

Defoe (3', 61', 85'), van Aanholt (49')

Jermain Defoe treble sinks Swansea City

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 13 January 2016

Jermain Defoe nets three goals as Sunderland record a 4-2 win away at fellow strugglers Swansea City.

The ninth Premier League hat-trick of Jermain Defoe's career helped Sunderland to claim a 4-2 victory from their trip to relegation rivals Swansea City this evening.

In a game that also saw a dubious penalty awarded, as well as a red card, it was Sunderland's 33-year-old marksman that ultimately proved to be the difference and in doing so he moved his side to within one point of their hosts.

Patrick van Aanholt celebrates scoring Sunderland's second goal against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on January 13, 2016 © Getty Images

The game was just three minutes old when the former England frontman struck for the first time. Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was unable to hold Fabio Borini's shot and Defoe reacted quickest to convert the rebound.

The hosting Swans were only behind for 18 minutes, though, as they got themselves back level in fortunate circumstances. Referee Graham Scott adjudged that Sunderland centre-back Wes Brown had hauled down Andre Ayew inside the box, when replays showed that the Swansea attacker had in fact kicked the ground. Nevertheless, Gylfi Sigurdsson made the most of the good fortune by tucking home the resultant penalty.

Gylfi Sigurdsson of Swansea City converts the penalty to score his team's first goal against Sunderland at the Liberty Stadium on January 13, 2016 © Getty Images

There was yet more controversy eight minutes before the break when Swansea full-back Kyle Naughton was handed a straight red card following a challenge with Yaan M'Vila. Once again on second viewing it appeared that the match official had made the wrong decision, leaving the hosts to play the remainder of the game with 10 men.

Yet, despite their numerical disadvantage, it was Swansea that took the lead into the break when Ayew turned Lee Cattermole and then drilled his effort into the far corner of Vito Mannone's net in the 40th minute.

Andre Ayew of Swansea City scores his team's second goal against Sunderland at the Liberty Stadium on January 13, 2016 © Getty Images

However, within four minutes of the restart parity was restored by Patrick van Aanholt. Sunderland's Dutch full-back cut inside from the left flank and saw his effort deflect off Federico Fernandez and beat a helpless Fabianski.

From that moment onwards Defoe took centre stage, first putting the travelling Black Cats back in front in the 61st minute when he slotted in Adam Johnson's through pass. Then, with five minutes left to play he prodded in Van Aanholt's cross to secure the three points and complete his first hat-trick in five years.