Four key talking points from Sunderland's win over Hull - plus reaction from David Moyes and Mike Phelan

The Stadium of Light might have been plunged into darkness for ten second-half minutes, but Sunderland were still able to turn in an illuminating display that featured Jermain Defoe’s 150th Premier League goal and two more successful strikes from Victor Anichebe.

What were the main talking points to emerge from the game?

VICTOR IS THE VANQUISHER WITH TWO SUPERB SECOND-HALF FINISHES

For far too long, Jermain Defoe has been forced to plough a lone furrow as Sunderland’s sole striker.  If the former England international didn’t score, it was hard to see the Black Cats winning.

Anichebe’s arrival has changed that, and in the space of two games, the 28-year-old, who signed as a free agent in the summer, has moved into second place on Sunderland’s goalscoring charts for the season.

His power and strength have transformed Sunderland’s attacking options, and mean Defoe no longer has to shoulder the sole responsibility for leading the line.

However, it was his finishing ability that was the most impressive element of his play this afternoon, with his two strikes showcasing an extremely high level of technical ability. He swept home his first goal with a crisp left-footed finish, before losing his marker again to rifle home his second of the afternoon in the closing stages.

DEFOE STILL AS GOOD AS EVER AS HE CLIMBS THE PREMIER LEAGUE GOALSCORING CHARTS

Anichebe has added another dimension to Sunderland’s attacking play, but Defoe remains Sunderland’s attacking talisman and his class was abundantly clear once again as he broke the deadlock with a goal from nothing.

Receiving Duncan Watmore’s flick on, Defoe surged past two Hull defenders to break into the area before dispatching a clinical finish past David Marshall.

The goal, which was his 150th in the Premier League, saw him overtake Les Ferdinand in the all-time rankings and move alongside Michael Owen in joint seventh position. Sixth-placed Robbie Fowler is the next target on 163.

For as long as Sunderland have Defoe in their team, they will always have a chance of survival. Only two players have scored more Premier League goals than him this season, and all of the Black Cats’ relegation rivals would love to have him in their side.

THE STADIUM OF (NO) LIGHT

Only Sunderland could have a floodlight failure at a ground named the Stadium of Light. The delay might only have lasted ten minutes or so, but that was still more than enough time for plenty of people to joke that Ellis Short had forgotten to pay the electric bill.

These things happen, but with fans being evacuated from the corporate areas of the stadium within five or ten minutes of the final whistle because only a small amount of power had been restored, there will be an urgent investigation into today’s events.

The Premier League will also want an explanation about what went wrong, and if nothing else, the loss of power was an embarrassment given the worldwide interest in the Premier League and the millions that flow to each and every top-flight club as a result of the new television deal.

Most of the players disappeared down the tunnel when the lights went off, and it is to David Moyes’ credit that his side retained their composure so effectively despite everything that was going on around them.

HULL ARE IN EVEN MORE TROUBLE THAN SUNDERLAND

If Sunderland are to survive this season, three sides are going to have to finish below them. On this evidence, the Black Cats won’t have to look much further to find one of them.

Hull forced Jordan Pickford into his usual clutch of world-class saves, but Mike Phelan’s side were comfortably second best and for all they might be two points clear of the Black Cats in the table, it is hard to see them surviving.

Defensively, they were all over the place, unable to cope with Defoe’s movement or Anichebe’s strength. At the other end, Dieumerci Mbokani was a willing runner as he attempted to lead the line, but he clearly lacks composure.

Hull’s biggest weakness, though, is the shallowness of their squad, and you only had to look at the visitors’ bench to appreciate the scale of the task facing Phelan in the remainder of the season.

MANAGER’S REACTION:

Sunderland manager David Moyes said: “There were chances for both sides, between the boxes we weren’t always good but with the keeper on fine form and the two forwards immense, it gave us a chance.

“Victor needs to be loved, and the supporters here are enjoying what they’re seeing. He’s a handful, a powerful boy, and if he keeps fit and adds goals, we’ve got a real player on our hands.

“It’s only two wins, it’s not enough, and the quicker we get to three wins the better. We don’t want to get detached from the teams above us and the players are giving their all.

“It was difficult because of the floodlight failure. We’d got the first goal and to be fair to Mick Phelan, we didn’t get all the lights on behind the goal, but we were still able to carry on. I’m not sure if we’ve been paying the electricity bill!”

Hull manager Mike Phelan said: “It was strange, annoying, disappointing, all the emotions rolled up in one game. We didn’t take the chances that came our way. The annoyance is that we lost 3-0. It’s difficult to defend a team you believe in.

“Things seem to happen to me when I come here.  One time with Manchester United, there was a problem with the dressing room (a burst pipe), I wonder if it’s just me.

“There was never any time when the game was in doubt, at the end of the day we needed to get it going again, it probably changed the game. My concern was in the goalmouth area they had no real light, I just asked him to think of the keepers.

“David Moyes was keen to get the game going again as his team were one up, but I believed we were in the game still at that stage. We created numerous opportunities, but didn’t take them. We conceded three chances at the other end to two strikers who have been there, seen it, done it.”

LINE-UPS:

Sunderland (4-3-3): Pickford; Jones, Kone, Djilobodji, van Aanholt; McNair (Love 88), Denayer (O’Shea 82), Ndong; Anichebe, Defoe, Watmore.

Subs (not used): Mannone (gk), Manquillo, Gooch, Januzaj, Khazri.

Hull (4-51): Marshall; Elmohamady, Davies, Dawson, Tymon (Bowen 68); Snodgrass, Clucas, Livermore, Mason (Meyler 78), Henriksen; Mbokani.

Subs (not used): Jakupovic (gk), Maguire, Huddlestone, Weir, Olley.