Sunderland top scorer Jermain Defoe discusses his Stadium of Light four-month jinx

Eleven of Defoe’s 14 Premier League goals this season have come on the road, with the Player of the Year last finding the net on Wearside in January’s 3-1 win over basement boys Aston Villa.

But with Sunderland drawing a blank in each of their last three Stadium of Light fixtures, Sam Allardyce needs Defoe to get back among the goals on home turf in Saturday’s pivotal visit of Chelsea and Wednesday’s clash against Everton.

“It’s hard to put your finger on why (the goals have come away from home),” said Defoe.

“Maybe away from home we’re organised and disciplined, and we try to stay in the game, then hopefully get one or two chances where we can score.

“Maybe sometimes at home it’s a different approach where we’re on the front foot trying to take the initiative.

“Maybe we don’t create as many chances like that.

“At the end of the day, that doesn’t really matter though does it?

“Wherever you’re playing, you’ve got to get the points and to do that, you’ve got to score goals.

“I believe that going into these next few games, I will get the chances.

“Hopefully, I can take them because the goals are needed now more than ever.”

Defoe’s stoppage time equaliser rescued a point for Sunderland at Stoke City last weekend, despite the Black Cats producing arguably their worst display of 2016.

But performances are largely irrelevant for Sunderland now as they look to pip Newcastle and Norwich to the one remaining spot available in the top flight.

Defoe added: “To be honest, for me, the performances don’t matter anymore, it’s just about the points now – pure and simple.

“If we win against Chelsea and Everton, no one will care about what the performances are like.

“We just have to find a way to win those games.”