SUNDERLAND showed plenty of positive signs when they overcame Leicester City at the Stadium of Light. Here are the main talking points from an afternoon when a Robert Huth own goal and Jermain Defoe’s strike earned a 2-1 win.

PRESENCE IN ATTACK

Suddenly Sunderland look like they have a little bit more than an over-reliance on Defoe’s predatory instincts – and a lot of that boils down to Victor Anichebe’s presence.

Anichebe has added something different and, despite fears he was not workman like enough for this relegation battle, he is clearly up for the challenge.

The experienced striker caused all sorts of problems and his run and lay off for Duncan Watmore was what created the crucial second. He had also gone close to scoring himself in the first half only for Wes Morgan to deny him.

His overall movement and link up play is freeing up others and that is the main bonus of having Anichebe in the team. His worth is highlighted by his appearance in in the three wins this season.

DEFENSIVELY SOUND

Leicester did manage to find a way through with ten minutes remaining when Shinji Okazaki worked his way free to turn in Demarai Gray’s cross, but overall Sunderland looked strong.

It was a gamble for David Moyes to recall Papy Djilobodji at the heart of the defence instead of John O’Shea, who had done nothing wrong at Anfield a week earlier.

Djilobodji, however, justified his recall by turning in his best display so far to help keep a Leicester forward line made up of Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy and Islam Slimani quiet.

He made a brilliant second half block to stop Slimani’s effort from crossing the line, while his positioning and distribution was superb throughout. If he plays like this every week – alongside an improved Lamine Kone – then Sunderland have a real base to work from.

SUPER SUBS

Sunderland started well but could not find a way through and that made things tighter and nervy.

However, the decision to introduce Seb Larsson and Jan Kirchhoff at half-time – for the injured pairing of Steven Pienaar and Jason Denayer – had the desired effect.

The two players have the experience of at least one relegation struggle so they will be important players in the months ahead after returning from injury.

And Larsson, one of the best men on the pitch in the second half, showed his quality in dictating play and deliveries.

It was his corner that was flicked on by Kirchhoff in the penalty area and that ended with Robert Huth deflecting into his own net.

STILL JERMAIN MAN

It had looked as if this was going to be a rare off day for Defoe in the final third. He had one chance in the first half when he failed to connect with Anichebe’s cross.

But you don’t get 18 goals in 2016 if you don’t have quality and everyone knows that he is vital in Sunderland’s battle to stay up.

Goal 19 did arrive to secure the points against the Foxes and it was instinctive, firing low into the corner after Duncan Watmore – who could be facing a decent spell on the sidelines after being stretchered off with a knee injury – saw his effort blocked.

Only Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero have scored more this year and Defoe already has eight for this season – even if he is playing in a side sitting in the bottom three.

MANAGERIAL REACTION

David Moyes said: “I think I've' broken a lot of records here already. It's nice to start setting some more positive records.

"If we can win another three games out of four we'll be in a good position, but we all know we've got a long way to go.

"We're getting better and playing better and we're looking like a much more attacking side now. We've got options going forward and we're going to have to keep that up."

Claudio Ranieri said: “There are a lot of teams involved in the battle, we're one of those teams but with a couple of wins you soon move up the table.

"This season we must continue to work hard and believe in ourselves remain the right balance that's football there are good moments and bad moments and in the bad moments we must stay together.

"Of course we wanted to get the points but Sunderland started better than us and should have been ahead."