Richard Mennear's analysis: Momentum firmly behind Sunderland after superb win over Leicester

The Sunderland revival under David Moyes continues to gather pace, with victory over Leicester City the club's third win in four top flight games.
Jan Kirchhoff wins a header.Jan Kirchhoff wins a header.
Jan Kirchhoff wins a header.

Jurgen Klopp criticised the Black Cats' defensive approach at Anfield. Against Champions Leicester it was the exact opposite, Sunderland were rampant in the opening 20 minutes.

Sunderland came flying out of the blocks, penning the Foxes back inside their own half. Duncan Watmore, Victor Anichebe and Jermain Defoe all with good early chances to score.

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After going in at the break level, Sunderland remained patient and got the reward their display deserved in the second half.

An own goal from Robert Huth and Jermain Defoe's eighth goal of the campaign putting Sunderland 2-0 up.

Struggling Leicester hit back through Shinji Okazaki but Sunderland held on.

From Jordan Pickford - who produced a stunning save deep in injury time - in goal to Defoe and Anichebe leading the line. Sunderland were superb throughout.

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There were no weak links. Even when they were dealt a double injury blow at half-time, with Steven Pienaar and Jason Denayer taken off, Sunderland regained their rhythm.

Huth's own goal came courtesy of a Seb Larsson corner, the first goal from a set piece - not including penalties - all season.

Jan Kirchhoff within whiskers of his first professional goal.

After a tension filled final ten minutes, the relief was immense at the Stadium of Light.

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Sunderland moved up to third-bottom, now just a point from safety. This was a monumental win.

Crucially, what it also does, is drag another half dozen teams closer to them.

The Premier League tables makes for much better reading. Sunderland are now only four points off Bournemouth in 12th.

Given Sunderland went 10 games without a win at the start of the campaign, to turn around the season in the manner they have done in recent weeks deserves immense credit.

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David Moyes described this as the best performance yet. He was right. Sunderland fully deserved the three points and in truth should have won more comfortably.

Leicester have struggled all season and Sunderland made them look average. The Black Cats rode their luck at times but they have earned that with their recent performances.

Sunderland are only two points off them now. Claudio Ranieri admitted afterwards his side are now in a relegation battle. That applies to as many as nine teams.

Good news for a Sunderland side with momentum firmly behind them.