Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has credited Jermain Defoe for keeping his side's survival hopes alive this season.

The 33-year-old rescued a 1-1 draw for his side against Stoke City on Saturday with a 94th-minute penalty, making it 12 points that his 14 Premier League goals have earned the Black Cats this season.

Sunderland do remain in the relegation zone, with one point the gap to safety, but Allardyce suggested that they may have already been down without the contribution of Defoe.

"He's kept us in the picture, he's kept us in a position where we can avoid relegation," he told reporters.

"He scores vital goals and I think the myth about not being able to play up front on his own has gone."

Sunderland take on Chelsea, Everton and Watford in their final three games of the season.