Full-time: Sunderland 1 Newcastle United 0

JERMAIN DEFOE’S stunning first half volley secured Sunderland a vital three points in their fight against relegation and a fifth consecutive win over rivals Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light.

Defoe latched onto Steven Fletcher’s flick to fire the Black Cats into the lead in the 45th minute and the Black Cats held on for three points despite late pressure from the Magpies to move three points above the bottom three with seven games left of the Premier League season.

The result was even more important after Burnley had moved level on points with Dick Advocaat’s side after their draw against Tottenham earlier in the day and they will look for only their second league win since January when Alan Pardew brings Crystal Palace to Wearside next week.

Advocaat made three changes to his line-up with Billy Jones, Santiago Vergini and Lee Cattermole coming in for Anthony Reveillere, Wes Brown and Jack Rodwell, while Magpies head coach John Carver made one change with Jonas Gutierrez replacing Vurnon Anita.

Burnley’s point at home to Tottenham earlier in the day meant a defeat by two goals or more would have seen the Black Cats drop into the bottom three on goal difference, but the hosts came flying out the traps.

Advocaat’s men dominated possession and forced a number of corners and Connor Wickham went close to breaking the deadlock when a combination of Jack Colback and the post prevented him from converting Larsson’s set piece.

The Dutchman, who Sunderland owner Ellis Short tasked with keeping the club in the Premier League, made the bold move to start Defoe, Wickham and Steven Fletcher in a front three against West Ham and the trio combined well to cause a lacklustre Newcastle countless problems.

A ball up into Fletcher’s feet allowed the striker to turn and send Defoe through but the former England striker’s touch was heavy and allowed Colback to make a last-ditch clearance.

Chances were at a premium for the Magpies and Ayoze Perez was isolated for much of the half as Carver’s men struggled to get a foothold in the game.

In the opening half hour Sunderland enjoyed 71 per cent possession, but as the half wore on and they failed to take their chances there were a few jitters amongst the home fans.

They disappeared on the stroke of half-time, though, when Defoe latched onto Fletcher’s flick and hammered a stunning first time volley past Tim Krul and into the top corner.

Newcastle returned for the second half and made early inroads to get back into the game, but their early burst didn’t last long with the Black Cats maintaining the upper hand after the break.

Fletcher went close to doubling the Wearsiders’ lead when he went through on goal, but the striker failed to keep his shot down.

Such was Sunderland’s superiority Costel Pantilimon was called into action for the first time in the 77th minute when Remy Cabella set up substitute Emmanuel Riviere to hit a low strike from just outside the area.

The Romanian had no trouble beating the ball away from goal and the Black Cats responded with a chance of their own when Mike Williamson blocked Larsson’s shot from ten yards out.

With three minutes left Ryan Taylor swung in a corner that deflected off Wickham into the path of Perez, but the Newcastle striker’s first time shot curled over the bar.

Sunderland (4-3-3): Pantilimon; Jones, Vergini, O’Shea, van Aanholt; Larsson, Cattermole, Gomez; Fletcher, Wickham, Defoe (Johnson, 80).

Subs (not used): Mannone, Bridcutt, Reveillere, Graham, Coates, Buckley.

Newcastle (4-1-4-1): Krul; Taylor, Janmaat, Williamson, Colback; Gutierrez; Cabella, Gouffran (Riviere, 58), Sissoko, Ameobi (Armstrong, 86); Perez.

Subs (not used): Elliot, Anita, Obertan, Abeid, Kemen.