Amid the frenetic chaos of a North East derby low on sustained quality came a goal as memorable as any scored in this fixture over the years. Sunderland were the better team here. They were superior in terms of energy and creativity against a Newcastle side rather inexcusably playing — to use the term their manager hates — with their ‘flip-flops on’ once again. Nothing Dick Advocaat’s home team did, however, was anywhere near as exquisite as the goal that won this contest for them. It was a goal seemingly taken from another day and dropped haphazardly right into the middle of a match that didn’t really deserve it. Jermain Defoe (centre) connects beautifully with a left-footed volley to fire Sunderland into a 1-0 lead against Newcastle United . Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul was unable to do anything about Defoe's 45th-minute strike as he watches it fly into the net . The 32-year-old watches on as the strike- his third for Sunderland - flies over Krul in the Magpies goal . The former Tottenham striker wheels away in celebration of his brilliant strike just before the half-time whistle was blown by Mike Dean . Defoe seemed overcome with emotion as he fell to the turf shortly after putting Sunderland into a 1-0 lead . Sunderland: Pantiilmon 6; Jones 6.5, Vergini 6, O’Shea 6, Van Aanholt 6.5; Cattermole 6.5; Defoe 7.5 (Johnson 78' 6), Larsson 6, Gomez 7, Wickham 6; Fletcher 6 . Subs not used: Bridcutt, Reveillere, Graham, Coates, Mannone, Buckley . Booked: Vergini, Van Aanholt, Wickham, Larsson, Gomez . Goals: Defoe 45' Manager: Dick Advocaat . Newcastle: Krul 6; R Taylor 5.5, Janmaat 6, Williamson 6, Colback 5.5; Gutierrez 6.5; Cabella 5, Sissoko 5, Gouffran 5 (Riviere 57mins 5.5 ), Ameobi 5 (Armstrong 86' 6) ; Perez 5 . Subs not used: Anita, Elliot, Obertan, Abeid, Kemen . Booked: Taylor, Colback . Manager: John Carver . MOM: Defoe . Referee: Mike Dean 7 . Att: 47,563 . *Player ratings by Ian Ladyman at the Stadium of Light . Jermain Defoe gave Sunderland a 1-0 lead with this brilliant volley - CLICK HERE to see more from our brilliant Match Zone service . Only seconds remained in the first half when Sunderland’s earnest but limited centre forward Steven Fletcher leapt to head a long pass from his own goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon towards Jermain Defoe. Still 25 yards out, the former England striker must have thought about bringing the ball under control. He had players arriving in support on either side. It would have been the sensible thing to do. True goalscorers have a mindset that is always switched to ‘glory’, though, and instead of taking the pragmatic route, Defoe decided to buy a ticket for the raffle. Moments after swinging his left foot at the ball he looked up to see it sail over Tim Krul in the Newcastle goal. All of a sudden, he was holding the winning ticket. On a weekend of sensational goals, this was another born of perfect technique, ambition and courage. It deserved to win a game that Sunderland deserved to win and it is up to the rest of Advocaat’s players to ensure it contributes to a run of results that keeps them in the Barclays Premier League. Scottish striker Steven Fletcher celebrates in front of the home crowd as the Black Cats take a 1-0 lead . The Sunderland players smother goal scorer Defoe as the team celebrate going into a 1-0 lead before the break . Connor Wickham congratulates Defoe as the Sunderland fans celebrate in the sunshine at the Stadium of Light . Certainly the opposition will be sterner than this. Just what is it that eats the modern Newcastle? Dressed in grey, they didn’t even look like a Newcastle team. Did they play like one? Sadly, they did. Newcastle have been churning out rubbish like this for far too long now and it is depressing to report that it is becoming the norm. Sunderland were much improved, unrecognisable from the side who conceded four in the first half here against Aston Villa recently. That day, half of the Sunderland supporters were back in their cars by half-time. Here, under a new manager, Sunderland were comfortably better than local opposition who seem to head into derby games expecting to lose. Sunderland goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon reacts after watching Defoe's stunning opener during the Tyne-Wear derby . Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat (left) celebrates Defoe's opening goal as Newcastle manager John Carver looks on . The 32-year-old frontman looked close to tears as both teams left the Stadium of Light pitch at half-time . Krul (left) seems to share a joke with Defoe shortly after the Black Cats forward beat him with a wonderful volley . It was difficult to understand for long periods what Newcastle were actually trying to do. If they were trying to suffocate the game then for a while it worked. Once they got caught, though, they seemed to possess neither the wit nor the willpower to find a way back. Sunderland were not always convincing early on. They earned possession and territory off the back of hard work but didn’t do much with the ball. A Billy Jones cut-back from a corner to the far post was cut out by Jonas Gutierrez in the 10th minute,, while Jordi Gomez struck a low free-kick at Krul and Connor Wickham’s header was deflected wide by Moussa Sissoko, the Newcastle captain. Prior to the goal, however, Sunderland’s play in the final third had been rather unconvincing. Had Newcastle possessed any forward thrust at all, they might have found a way into the game. But once Defoe’s left foot brought the Stadium of Light to its feet, Sunderland rarely appeared in any danger. Another goal would have settled their nerves and they had opportunities. Indeed, they looked more dangerous in the second half. Former Sunderland midfielder Jack Colback (right) fouls Wickham during a ferocious second half display . Sammy Ameobi (right) is closed down by Sebastian Larsson and Billy Jones during the Premier League clash . Sunderland's Steven Fletcher (centre) is beaten in the air by Newcastle midfielder Jonas Gutierrez . Fletcher, though, has never been a goalscorer who has scored many goals — spot the contradiction? — and twice he failed here. A header on the hour needed more power to beat Krul and then another chance, provided by Defoe’s low cross, was spurned on the back of a decision to pivot away from goal and shoot on the turn rather than drive towards goal on his right side. We should not be too hard on Fletcher. He works as hard as any. The difference between a journeyman and an international of standing was evident, though, and Advocaat will be glad that predecessor Gus Poyet at least left him with a striker of pedigree before he was run out of town last month.Sebastian Larsson also failed in front of goal as the clock ticked on while, belatedly, Newcastle found a little something. Pantilimon was finally asked to work when Remy Cabella shot from 18 yards in the 78th minute before Ayoze Perez volleyed over from a corner at the death. That, in truth, was a real chance. A draw, though, would have been a joke. Newcastle manager John Carver admitted afterwards that his team had embarrassed him and it’s not the first time. When the final whistle blew, Defoe — substituted with 12 minutes left — wore a smile as wide as the river and with good reason. His thunderbolt strike, like the Easter sunshine, has lit a flame in Wearside’s season of gloom. They will remember it for a while. Sunderland defender Patrick Van Aanholt (right) looks to ride the challenge of Daryl Janmaat . Advocaat gestures to his players during the Tyne-Wear derby clash at the Stadium of Light . Magpies goalkeeper Krul punches the ball clear as Mike Williamson challenges Black Cats forward Fletcher . Defoe was replaced by winger Adam Johnson during the closing stages of the second half at the Stadium of Light . Dutch boss Advocaat congratulates Defoe as the 32-year-old striker leaves the pitch with the score at 1-0 . Sunderland captain John O'Shea gestures to the home fans after the final whistle at the Stadium of Light . Newcastle 0-3 Sunderland . Apr 14, 2013: Stephane Sessegnon, Adam Johnson and David Vaughan score the goals as Paolo di Canio oversees Sunderland’s first win at St . James’ Park in 13 years — in his second game in charge. Cue knee-sliding and fist-pumping from the Italian boss. Sunderland 2-1 Newcastle . Oct 27, 2013: Six months on from his euphoric celebrations and Di Canio has gone, replaced by Gus Poyet. And the Uruguayan tastes victory in his . first Tyne-Wear derby thanks to Fabio Borini’s 84th-minute winner. Newcastle 0-3 Sunderland . Feb 1, 2014: Three goals and three consecutive derby wins as Borini, Johnson and Jack Colback find the net. Newcastle 0-1 Sunderland . Dec 21, 2014: Johnson lashes in a 90th minute winner to ensure Sunderland fans keep the bragging rights. Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle . Apr 5, 2015: New Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat picks up his first win in his second game in charge thanks to Jermain Defoe’s thunderbolt.
Sunderland earn 1-0 Tyne-Wear derby victory against Newcastle at the Stadium of Light.
Jermain Defoe gives Black Cats the lead with stunning left-footed volley before half-time.
Former Tottenham striker scores his third Sunderland goal in hard-fought win for the home side.
Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat earns his first Tyne-Wear derby victory.
Black Cats are unbeaten in their last seven Barclays Premier League games against Newcastle United.