Jermain Defoe scored a hat-trick as Sunderland battled past Exeter City in a nine-goal thriller to move into the third round of the League Cup this evening.

After a quiet start, Sunderland took the lead as Jack Rodwell found the bottom corner after Danny Graham's blocked shot fell for him a few yards out.

Rodwell turned provider a few minutes later as he released Defoe in on goal, and he flicked it round the keeper and rolled it into the net.

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Exeter hit back though, as Danny Butterfield's ball over the top was latched on to by Manny Oyeleke, and he found the bottom corner from inside the box.

The League Two side drew level just after the half-hour mark as David Wheeler nodded in Lee Holmes's cross, but Sunderland regained the lead before the break as Defoe beat a couple of defenders before finding the bottom corner from the middle of the box.

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Exeter equalised for a second time through Tom McCready though, as he fired past the keeper after Wheeler set him up from a few yards out.

After the break, the visitors almost took the lead for the first time but Holmes's header from Arron Davies's cross went over the bar.

However, Sunderland re-took the lead again as Rodwell nodded in Sebastian Larsson's corner for his second of the night just after the hour mark, before substitute Duncan Watmore confirmed the win when he rounded the keeper and tapped in.

There was still time for Defoe to complete his hat-trick late on, as Sunderland took advantage of some tired Exeter legs when Larsson crossed for him to find the net from close range.