Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has heaped praise on match-winner Jermain Defoe following his hat-trick heroics on Wednesday.

The veteran striker fired home three goals as the Black Cats came from 2-1 down to defeat ten-man Swansea City 4-2 at the Liberty Stadium.

Defoe played up front as a lone striker to score in the third, 61st and 85th minutes to send Sunderland up to 18th position on the table, following up his two-goal display in the 3-1 win over Aston Villa on January 2.

Allardyce was aware Alan Curtis' Swans would want to continue playing their brand despite losing Kyle Naughton in the 38th minute but was delighted to see his Black Cats come from behind to claim an invaluable three points thanks to the influence of Defoe.

"I said, 'we've got to shut them down in their half every time they try and play it', because obviously Swansea still try and play, even with 10 men," he said.

"That's what worked for us in the end and clinical Mr Defoe has won us another game.

"We're putting that myth to bed about Jermain Defoe can't play up front on his own, because he's won us two games now."

Sunderland are now just one point behind Swansea having won their past two league fixtures to be within striking distance of climbing out of the relegation zone.