Striker Defoe wrote himself into Sunderland folklore with his stunning volley in the 1-0 Wear-Tyne derby triumph on Sunday.
It brought Defoe to tears at half-time, a special goal on a special day.
He said: “It was great to be the person to make so many people happy. When you’re a young kid playing football you just want to play in massive games.
“When the goal went in, I had to keep reminding myself that it was all real.
“The only thing I can liken this goal to in terms of the feeling it gave me was scoring for England in a World Cup. It’s right up there with my most memorable.”
As he left the pitch at the interval, he was brought to tears, further demonstrating how he had taken on board during his first three months at the club exactly what the local turf war means to fans.
GETTY
The emotion gets to Defoe at the Stadium of Light
“I think that since I’ve been here I’ve proved that I understand how big the club is, and how much the people here love their football,” said Defoe.
“I showed that I’m quite an emotional person.
“As the whistle went for half-time and as I was walking down the tunnel, I thought to myself ‘I’m crying and, I’m on the telly here’ but I didn’t care. For the fans and everyone it was just a special day and the whole occasion really got to me.
“I’ve always been a heart on the sleeve kind of person, but I think that’s because quite I’m old school.”
Reuters
Jermain Defoe scored a sensational volley
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Head coach Dick Advocaat had gone down the emotional route in appealing to the sensibilities of his players in the prelude to a first victory in nine games that lifted Sunderland three points clear of the relegation zone with seven matches to go.
Defoe’s third goal in 12 Sunderland appearances since a January arrival from MLS side Toronto FC proved decisive, and he added: “The manager said to use beforehand that we were lucky to be playing in a game like this. There are so many young kids who wish they could play. To be blessed enough and to score the winner is amazing.
“Going on the bus towards the game and seeing everyone outside the hotel, wanting autographs and pictures, there were so many fans there that I felt ‘wow, this is a massive game’.”
