Jermain Defoe feels beating Newcastle United will spark Sunderland's survival battle.

Defoe is both hopeful and confident of a much-needed victory.

"There's no better game for us to get a win and give everyone around the club a lift," he told the Evening Chronicle. "There's no better game to kick-start a revival and get the club away from danger.

"We've got eight games coming up and the manager has told us they are all cup finals, which is right because we need to get points.

"If we continue to play like we did against West Ham we'll be fine. We created a lot of chances, had good movement and were solid and defended well."