Sunderland gave their survival hopes a huge boost when committed performances in all positions produced a deserved 2-1 victory over reigning Premier League champions Leicester City on Saturday.
Midfielders Jan Kirchhoff and Sebastian Larsson returned from long absences through injury to combine for the goal that provided the breakthrough just as Leicester were threatening to gain an upper hand after Sunderland's brighter first half. History will record the moment as a Robert Huth own goal, but his deflection came after Kirchhoff rose above everyone around him to head Larsson's well-placed corner toward the net.
A typically clinical strike from Jermain Defoe, following superb work from Sunderland's star man Victor Anichebe, doubled the score.