Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce was full of praise for his team after they secured a crucial 4-2 win at Swansea on Wednesday night.

A hat-trick from Jermain Defoe and a rare goal from Patrick van Aanholt ensured Allardyce’s side left Wales with all three points in the Premier League.

The Black Cats, who are 1.29 to be relegated, were 2-1 down at point but they showed plenty of heart to come back after the Swans had been reduced to 10 men.

Swans right-back Kyle Naughton was harshly sent to the stands, while two of Defoe’s goals appeared to have been scored from offside positions in what was a controversial game at the Liberty Stadium.

However, Allardyce was quick to focus on his own side and he was delighted with the response from his players after a run of just one win in their previous six games.

“We had our destiny in our own hands today and we’ve taken the opportunity to win the game,” he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“For us, it’s an unbelievable win because today if you don’t win, then make sure you don’t lose. It is an enormous, enormous, enormous three points that gives us a lot of encouragement and hope going forward.”

Wednesday’s victory means Sunderland are now just one point away from safety but the former Newcastle boss admits his side will be up against it when they play Tottenham on Saturday.

He added: “We’ve got a very difficult game at Tottenham on Saturday and hopefully we can make this horrendous week we’ve had a pretty good one – if we can get a result at Tottenham.”