Sunderland manager Gus Poyet hails impact of striker Jermain Defoe

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has labelled Jermaine Defoe as "special" after the England striker scored in today's 1-1 draw at Swansea City.

Defoe bagged a few minutes before half time at the Liberty Stadium as he lashed the ball into the back of the net after drifting past a couple of Swansea defenders.

The 32-year-old joined the Black Cats from Toronto in January and has already scored twice for his new club, which has prompted Poyet to heap praise on the veteran.

He told Sky Sports News: "He is special and there are not many. Proven Premier League goalscorers cost a lot and to find one that can come to us is quite difficult so he's very important for us. Now we know what he can do because he can score from nothing. He knows what he can do and gives us the confidence as a team that sooner or later he will put the ball in the back of the net.

"If we do our jobs, then if we find him on the pitch, then I'm sure he is going to score plenty and that will be a platform for the rest of the season."

Ki Sung-yueng scored the equaliser to restrict Sunderland to a draw which leaves them 14th in the Premier League table.