Defoe is deeply loved by Sunderland fans, and not just because he can help the team score goals.
This optimistic and cheerful big boy is also very kind-hearted.
As early as 2013, Defoe established a foundation named after himself, dedicated to helping homeless, vulnerable, and abused children in his hometown of Saint Lucia.
After a period of development, the foundation has gradually expanded its influence, providing support to children and families in the surrounding Caribbean islands and the United Kingdom.
Later, Defoe was even awarded the Order of the British Empire at the Queen's Birthday Honours ceremony in recognition of his outstanding contribution to charity.
Defoe dedicated this medal to little Bradley—a terminally ill Sunderland fan.
Because of this, Defoe holds a very high position in the hearts of Sunderland fans.
That he could break his personal goal-scoring record in today's match truly made everyone happy for him!
Of course, there were also those on the field who were not happy.
For example, Watford's Coach, Mazzarri.
When Defoe sent the ball into Watford's goal, Mazzarri realized that his biggest fear had come true…
If Sunderland hadn't scored, even if they attacked fiercely, Watford would still have the confidence to continue defending.
Mazzarri could even have his disciples pull the line back a bit more to completely block the space for Sunderland's forwards to sprint.
The problem is that the score on the field is now 1:0, with Sunderland leading!
What should he do now?
Continuing to defend clearly doesn't make much sense.
But counterattack immediately?
That doesn't seem quite right either.
In these past ten-plus minutes of the match, Sunderland, through active running and almost frantic pressing, has firmly controlled the pace of the game.
If Watford rashly switches from defense to offense at this moment, they might expose more gaps, giving Sunderland's forwards more space to create more opportunities!
Mazzarri is truly at his wit's end now.
Suddenly, he pulled out his phone from his pocket, quickly swiped and glanced at it, then let out a slight sigh of relief.
Fortunately, in the other match, Swansea versus West Bromwich Albion, there had been no goals yet, and the score was still 0:0.
If both matches continue with these scores, then even if Watford loses, they can still successfully avoid relegation…
Now, Mazzarri is actually pinning his hopes on the other match taking place in Wales!
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The match restarted.
Watford's players are a bit desperate now.
On the sidelines, their Coach seemed a bit helpless, often sitting silently in his seat, even closing his eyes as if in prayer;
On the field, Sunderland's players, like fierce tigers descending from the mountain, once again pressed them within the thirty-meter zone, with attacks coming in waves!
It can be said that after Defoe scored, Watford was only able to parry, with no power to counterattack.
Amidst the shouts of tens of thousands of fans at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland grew stronger with each attack!
"Before the match, Coach Mazzarri once said he wanted to play an attacking game against Sunderland, but I didn't see that in the match."
"Watford immediately adopted a defensive stance, with no intention of attacking at all! This might be Mazzarri's attempt to use pre-match smokescreens to lull his opponents into a false sense of security, thereby achieving his tactical goals."
"But unfortunately, Coach Zhao Zhao seemed completely unaffected by the opponent's statements; regardless of the opponent's tactics, they continued to completely suppress their opponent with the fiercest offense!"
"Moreover, judging from the performance of the players on the field, Sunderland seemed to be better prepared for this match. Their physical condition was better, their organization was superior, and with the support of the home fans, their morale was even more vigorous."
"This also seems to indicate that Coach Zhao Zhao had already anticipated the opponent's playing style and had conducted very detailed targeted training over the past week!"
"This is also the most amazing thing about our Coach Zhao Zhao. He can always anticipate the enemy, making any of the opponent's tricks impossible to hide!"
"And now… even though Sunderland is already leading by one goal, they are still attacking fiercely, just like at the start of the match."
"Watford's goal is a bit shaky, seeming like it could be breached at any minute!"
As James Jun narrated, Sunderland's players on the field continued to strongly press and strangle Watford's midfield and defense.
This intensity of pressing made it difficult for the already disheartened Watford players to adapt; they found it hard to smoothly pass the ball over midfield, being forced to pass the ball back and forth in their own half.
But even passing among the defenders was not easy.
When the ball was passed to Watford's right flank, to Janmaat, Borini suddenly accelerated and charged towards the Netherlands right-back.
Borini's speed was very fast, and his sudden charge startled Janmaat.
Janmaat, who had originally intended to pass forward, could only stop the ball and then turn.
But he couldn't pass to the center-back, because there was also a Sunderland player there; the opposing forward Defoe was watching like a tiger.
Janmaat was forced to pass the ball back to the goalkeeper, Gomes.
But before Gomes could receive the ball, another Sunderland player rushed forward like lightning.
This time it was the attacking midfielder Januzaj!
He and Defoe sometimes interchange positions to cover as wide a pressing area as possible.
Gomes was so scared that he dared not control the ball anymore and directly cleared it with a big kick.
This was one of the goals of Sunderland's high press.
Being able to directly snatch the ball from the goalkeeper or defenders is, of course, the best outcome, as it can immediately create excellent scoring opportunities.
If not, they would force them to pass to the side, then, like the pressing at the start, create an overload on the strong side to force an opponent error.
And if they forced the opponent to hastily clear the ball, that was also excellent.
After all, this disrupted the opponent's organized passing and possession, essentially handing over possession to Sunderland.
Most of Watford's players are currently pressed into their own half; who is there in the attacking third?
So, when the ball flew high, it indeed landed in the right-back area of Sunderland's half.
That was precisely within Sunderland's control.
Billy Jones easily headed the ball down, sending it to Khazri's feet.
At this moment, Khazri had already dropped back to near the midfield line.
His tactical objective just now was to press Watford's defensive midfielder and captain, Doucouré, preventing Doucouré from receiving the ball from the center-backs or goalkeeper in the middle.
And when Billy Jones controlled possession, Khazri immediately transformed into a midfield receiver, coming over to cooperate with his teammate.
As Khazri received the ball, Defoe, like a phantom, had already surged past Prodl!
Khazri seized the opportunity and delivered a direct over-the-top pass; the ball flew over Prodl's head and landed perfectly beside Defoe.
Defoe lightly jumped, simultaneously extended his right foot to control the ball, then gently nudged it forward, and was already facing Watford's goalkeeper!
Gomes frantically moved forward, attempting to block Defoe's shooting lane.
But the incredibly fast Defoe had already executed a nimble change of direction, dribbling past Gomes, and then easily pushed the ball into Watford's goal.
"Goal again!!!!!!!"
"2:0! Sunderland scores again, and it's Defoe again! He scored his 20th Premier League goal of the season!"
"This also puts him level with Aguero and Diego Costa in the top scorer standings, tied for fourth place!"
"With 30 minutes played, Sunderland is already leading by two goals!"