Sunderland's Patrick van Aanholt, left, celebrates scoring against Swansea City during the English Premier League soccer match at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, Wednesday Jan. 13, 2016. (David Davies/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT
The Associated Press
SWANSEA, Wales (AP) - Jermain Defoe scored a hat trick as Sunderland swept to a 4-2 victory over 10-man Swansea in a Premier League relegation scrap on Wednesday.
Sunderland made an ideal start, with striker Defoe scoring after just three minutes.
Swansea equalized in the 21st minute when Gylfi Sigurdsson converted a penalty, but was reduced to 10 men in the 37th after a red card for Kyle Naughton.
The setback didn't prevent Andre Ayew from putting the host ahead just three minutes later.
However, Sunderland needed only four minutes after the restart to level, with defender Patrick van Aanholt cutting inside before smacking a shot into the top corner.
Adam Johnson put Defoe through for his second goal just after the hour mark and the forward rounded off the scoring in the 85th.
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This story has been corrected to show Ayew's first name is Andre, not Jordan
Sunderland's Jermain Defoe, second right, scores their first goal of the game against Swansea City during their English Premier League soccer match at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016. (David Davies/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES
The Associated Press
Swansea City's Gylfi Sigurdsson scores their first goal of the game against Sunderland from the penalty spot during their English Premier League soccer match at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016. (David Davies/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES
The Associated Press
Sunderland's Patrick van Aanholt scores against Swansea City during the English Premier League soccer match at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, Wednesday Jan. 13, 2016. (David Davies/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT
The Associated Press