SPURS TRAVEL to the North East for an afternoon meeting with the Mackems.
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Sunderland 1-2 Tottenham
Where did those couple of days go? After the excitement of Stephens’ Day games, we’re back for another full set of Premier League fixtures over the weekend. First up is the meeting of two in-form sides – Sunderland, who defeated champions Manchester City last time out, and fourth-placed Spurs.
We’re 15 minutes from kick-off so here are the teams:
Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, O’Shea, Cuellar, Kilgallon, Johnson, Larsson, Colback, McClean, Sessegnon, Fletcher. Subs: Westwood, Campbell, Wickham, McFadden, Vaughan, Ji, Bramble.
Tottenham: Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Caulker, Naughton, Lennon, Sandro, Dembele, Bale, Adebayor, Defoe. Subs: Friedel, Dempsey, Vertonghen, Huddlestone, Parker, Sigurdsson, Livermore.
All the pre-match talk on Sky Sports is around Gareth Bale with the words “unstoppable” and “unplayable” being bandied about. Craig Gardner, filling in a right-back today, is likely to have a tough time against the powerful Welshman, but Spurs midfielder Moussa Dembele will also be expected to make a big impact for the visitors.
For Sunderland, Irish pair John O’Shea and James McClean start, as does Stephens’ Day match-winner Adam Johnson and top scorer Steven Fletcher.
A quick word from the managers…
“The boost of confidence (for Sunderland) is immense from winning against Man City. The way the squad is built was never in doubt, they have quality from back to front.” – AVB
“He (Bale) is a talented player, one of the best players in Europe. It’s a difficult task for us but we’re capable of doing it.” – Martin O’Neill
A minute’s silence and we’re underway. Sunderland in their home strip of red and white stripes, black shorts and black socks. Spurs wear their change kit of navy shirts, white shorts and white socks.
Former Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn is co-commentating for Sky. Looking forward to the balanced and unbiased analysis then.
First shot on goal and it falls to Spurs. Bale skips by Gardner with a nutmeg and cuts back to the edge of the box, where Emmanuel Adebayor is loitering. The striker, with just one goal to his name this season, doesn’t make great contact and Simon Mignolet has the simple task of keeping it out.
When Dembele brings down Johnson 25 yards out from the Tottenham goal, Gardner’s effort takes a nick but finds it way through to goal – where Hugo Lloris is waiting.
News that one of the 3pm games is under threat. Ground staff at Old Trafford are working hard to clear water off the pitch ahead of Manchester United’s scheduled game with West Brom. There will be a second pitch inspection at 1.15pm. We’ll bring you more when we hear it.
Credit: Conor McNamara
Some excellent one-touch football from Sunderland gets Stephane Sessegnon away on the right. He looks to cross to the back post but Lloris commands his area well.
That’s exactly what you want to see McCleane doing. The Derry winger feints to go down the channel but cuts inside Kyle Walker onto his left and puts in a brilliant delivery. Unmarked at the back post, Johnson stretches to put the ball back across but neither Fletcher or Sessegnon have read the pass and it’s booted clear.
A Sandro shot from the corner of the box has Mignolet scrambling a little after catching Carlos Cuellar. The Spanish defender needs treatment from the physio after the passage of play but he should be alright to continue.
McClean initially does well to break through the middle but is caught in possession and Sunderland are under pressure. A pass is threaded through to Adebayor and with a sight on goal, he tries the shot but sees it blocked for a corner kick.
Spurs enjoying a dominant spell of possession right now.
That’s a chance. Lennon goes by McClean and crosses for Bale but his header from a decent position is off-target.
And an even better one. Defoe with an inviting ball to the far post, Cuellar swipes at the ball and misses it completely before Adebayor hits the cross bar with his attempt from close range.
Tottenham have been the better side and continue to probe for an opener but Cuellar’s header from a Johnson free-kick isn’t far away down the other end.
GOAL! Sunderland 1-0 Tottenham (John O’Shea)
They may be under the cosh, but the home side have taken the lead. Skipper John O’Shea, with his first goal for the club, finishes coolly after Fletcher had forced Lloris into a terrific stop during a move that began with a Seb Larrson free-kick.
After worries over the state of the pitch, it has been confirmed that Manchester United v West Brom will go ahead as scheduled this afternoon as officials have given the go-ahead after a second inspection.
Half-time: Sunderland 1-0 Tottenham
Defoe lucky to escape a booking after a blatant dive. The whistle then goes for half-time.
RE the last time John O’Shea scored:
And we’re back. No changed on either side just yet.
Sunderland 1-1 Tottenham (Carlos Cuellar o.g.)
Yellow card for Carlos Cuellar, who bring Aaron Lennon down after being on the receiving end of a nutmeg. Walker’s free-kick is put behind and Spaniard somehow manages to head into his old net for the Spurs equaliser under no pressure from an opponent.
GOAL! Sunderland 1-2 Tottenham (Aaron Lennon)
What a turnaround! Getting a bit of luck when his first touch comes off Kilgallon, Lennon pokes past O’Shea before slotting beyond Mignolet.
Flether has injured himself during a Sunderland attack but has returned to the field after some treatment.
Smashing passage of play there and I’m scratching my head as to how Spurs aren’t three-up. Bale sets off on a trademark run from the halfway line then tees up Defoe, whose first touch isn’t the best. Five yards out from goal, the striker is thwarted by an incredible stop from Mignolet.
Sessegnon then wastes an opportunity for Sunderland when put through by McClean – the Benin attacker blazes wide with his left foot.
Fraizer Campbell on for Matthew Kilgallon with Jack Colback shifting to left full-back as O’Neill goes in search of an equaliser.
Having scored his first goal in over three years, John O’Shea’s day is over. The Irish defender pulls up with what looks to be a hamstring injury and is replaced by Titus Bramble.
Meanwhile, Michael Dawson has picked up a yellow for bringing down Sessegnon and Lloris punches clear with a strong fist.
Clint Dempsey gets 15 minutes of action after being out with a groin injury. The American takes Defoe’s place.
Gareth Bale in yellow card for diving shocker. Craig Gardner makes minimal contact inside the Sunderland box and the winger goes down before being shown a card.
Dempsey then sets up Adebayor with a delightful back-heel but Mignolet saves with an outstretched leg. Scott Parker on for Lennon… eight minutes plus added time remain.
Kyle Naughton on-hand to turn Johnson’s dangerous ball away as Sunerland seek to snatch an unlikely point.
Five minutes of additional time to be played.
Full-time: Sunderland 1-2 Tottenham
Going behind just before half-time, Spurs score twice in three minutes after the break and deservedly take the three points to move up to third in the table. Sunderland battled hard for the majority of the 90 minutes but lost concentration at the beginning of the second 45 and were punished.
The Premier League 3pms are about to start, so join Adrian now for all the build-up.
