Sunderland move rejuvenates Bent

Bent is the joint-top scorer in the Premier League this season

In-form Sunderland striker Darren Bent has said that his move to the Stadium of Light has restored his confidence and rejuvenated his career.

The 24-year-old joined the Black Cats from Tottenham Hotspur for £10m in August and has scored eight goals in nine Premier League games.

"It was a difficult two years [at Tottenham], where things weren't going for me," he told BBC Newcastle.

"Now I feel like I'm going to score and hit the target every time."

Bent's latest goal, a fifth-minute strike in Saturday's 1-0 win over Liverpool, came courtesy of a deflection off a beach ball which had been thrown onto the pitch by a Reds' supporter.

And, while the former Charlton man appreciates that the goal came through a slice of luck, he believes that the strike was indicative of the form he and his side are in at present.

"Little things are going in my favour, but as a front man you take what you're given," he added.

"At the same time the team played fantastic and, from a neutral point of view, no one is going to say that the win was unjustified."