Sam Allardyce says he "dreads to think" where Sunderland would be without the goals of Jermain Defoe.
Defoe struck his 15th Premier League goal of the season and the all important winner as the Black Cats came back from 2-1 down to beat Chelsea 3-2 on Saturday and move out of the Premier League drop zone.
The former England international has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season, 13 more than any other Sunderland player.
And Allardyce has paid tribute to Defoe following his latest heroic display for Sunderland.
"You give Jermain Defoe a chance and generally he at least hits the target," said Allardyce.
"We've crawled out of the bottom three by the number of goals that he's scored. Without him I dread to think where we'd be as a team."
Allardyce suggested his tactical switch to move Borini closer to Defoe paid dividends against Chelsea and believes his side are now “favourites” to avoid relegation.
"That little change of tactics, by pushing Fabio Borini in the middle behind Jermain Defoe, has obviously paid off," he added.
"It's a wonderful comeback and wonderful for us. We're the favourites [to stay up] now, Newcastle have been favourites all this week."
A win for Sunderland at home to Everton on Wednesday would secure their top-flight status and relegate Newcastle United and Norwich City.
Allardyce believes Everton will make it difficult for Sunderland but is pleased his charges have destiny in their own hands.
"Our destiny is in our hands and a win against Everton will secure our Premier League future. It will be difficult but we have an opportunity to achieve it, let's hope we can," said Allardyce.
"Since the turn of the year we've been so near yet so far from so many victories, but today, for a change, we've come from being behind twice and come back to win the game and it shows the character of the players."
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- Goal