SUNDERLAND: Leicester lost for the seventh time in 14 matches of its stumbling Premier League title defense, slumping to a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland on Saturday.

Jermain Defoe's eighth goal of the season ultimately condemned Leicester to its latest loss that kept the champions two points above the bottom three.

Sunderland is still in the relegation zone despite winning three of its last four games.

Defoe struck in the 77th minute after Robert Huth's own goal gave the home side the lead at Stadium of Light in the 64th.

Substitute Shinji Okazaki pulled a goal back for the visitors in the 80th, which still cannot transfer its Champions League form to the Premier League. Leicester has qualified for the knockout stage of its first Champions League campaign with a group game to spare.