Here was everything you might have missed before, during and after Sunderland’s Premier League trip to Tottenham Hotspur
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Sunderland arrived in north London sitting seventh in the table on 29 points, firmly in the top-half conversation as the season moved beyond its halfway point. Tottenham, meanwhile, began the afternoon down in 13th on 26 points, knowing a home win would close the gap and pull them back towards the European places.
It made for an intriguing backdrop at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Sunderland travelled south with confidence after another strong run of results, while Spurs were searching for consistency and momentum in front of their own supporters. From the early build-up and team news to the tactical battles on the pitch and the moments that unfolded away from the main action, there was plenty that went unnoticed as the night developed.
Here is a closer look at the moments you may have missed before kick-off, during the 90 minutes and after the final whistle:
Milestone game between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur
This fixture also marked a small but significant milestone in Sunderland’s history, with the senior side making their first-ever visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. While Sunderland’s under-21s had previously played a cup final at the venue a couple of years earlier, this was the first time the club’s first team had taken to the pitch in N17. It added another chapter to a long and well-established rivalry between the two clubs, stretching back well over a century.
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Heading into the night, the historical numbers slightly favoured Spurs. Across all competitions, Sunderland had won 38 meetings with Tottenham, drawn 31 and lost 50, with the first encounter between the sides coming in the FA Cup back in February 1899. That long-running relationship had spanned league battles, cup ties and contrasting eras for both clubs. This meeting, though, felt very much of the present. A modern stadium, two sides separated by just three points in the Premier League table.
Granit Xhaka faces familiar foe after Arsenal days
There was also extra attention on Granit Xhaka, who returned to north London facing familiar opposition after his years with Arsenal. Having been a central figure in Arsenal’s rivalry with Tottenham, the Sunderland captain cut a recognisable figure from the opening whistle, marshalling those around him and embracing the edge that comes with the fixture.
Every touch was greeted with noise from the stands, underlining the spotlight on a player who knows this ground and this opponent better than most in the Sunderland squad. Xhaka’s presence added another layer to the occasion, bringing experience of high-pressure north London encounters into a Sunderland side still writing its own Premier League story.
Sunderland handed double injury boost before Tottenham game
Sunderland were handed a timely injury boost ahead of the trip to Tottenham, with Régis Le Bris able to welcome Dan Ballard back into the matchday squad.
Ballard had missed the previous two Premier League fixtures with an ankle issue, but scans showed no significant damage, and the centre-back made sufficient progress to return. With Sunderland’s squad stretched by a number of absences due to the Africa Cup of Nations, his availability came as a major lift during the most demanding spell of the season so far.
There was further encouragement for the Black Cats with Brian Brobbey deemed fit enough to keep his place in the starting XI. The striker had been withdrawn in the second half against Manchester City after feeling some muscle discomfort, though Le Bris had played down any injury concerns post-match, and those fears proved unfounded. As a result, Le Bris opted to name an unchanged side to face Tottenham Hotspur, though Wilson Isidor was a surprise omission from the squad with what Le Bris described as a minor injury.
Dennis Cirkin starts against former club in the Premier League
There was a familiar subplot involving Dennis Cirkin, who lined up against his former club Tottenham Hotspur. Cirkin came through the Spurs academy before joining Sunderland in 2021 and has since featured for the club in League One, the Championship and now the Premier League.
The 23-year-old has been linked with a return to north London on several occasions since leaving Spurs, though a move has never materialised. His long-term future remains a talking point, with Cirkin currently out of contract at Sunderland at the end of the season. Former Tottenham player Romaine Mundle was also on the bench for the Black Cats and replaced Cirkin in the second half with Le Bris’ side chasing the game.
Xhaka moment plus Mukiele and Alderete injury scares
Sunderland made a difficult start to the game and found themselves 1-0 down at half-time after a poor first-half by Le Bris’ men. After just two minutes, Nordi Mukiele was left nursing an early injury issue following a awkward fall, prompting early concern among the travelling Sunderland supporters. After brief treatment, the defender was able to continue.
Around 20 minutes in, Granit Xhaka slipped slightly as he moved across to take a corner, drawing a loud reaction from the Spurs crowd behind the goal. The Sunderland skipper appeared to take it in good humour, sharing a quick smile with supporters at that end. Three minutes later, with Tottenham pressing once again, there were further nerves in the away end as Omar Alderete went down holding his head. Play was halted, but after treatment the centre-back was able to carry on.
Le Bris tinkers during second half as Brobbey goes mad
Sunderland continued to chase the game in a disjointed second half, with Le Bris forced into several adjustments as the match wore on. Just after the hour mark, Le Bris made his first change, with Romaine Mundle introduced in place of Cirkin. The reshuffle saw Hume switch across to left-back, while Geertruida dropped into right-back.
Six minutes later, further changes followed as Adingra made way for Ballard, who slotted in at centre-back, with Nordi Mukiele shifting out to right-back and Geertruida pushed forward into midfield – another example of Le Bris tinkering in search of control. With 15 minutes remaining, tensions briefly rose when Brobbey clashed off the ball with Pedro Porro. Brobbey looked frustrated and was perhaps fortunate to escape a booking after his arm strayed close to his opponent’s face.
However, it was Brobbey who smashed home Sunderland’s equaliser with 10 minutes remaining. The Dutch striker celebrated with real gusto in front of the Spurs supporters behind the goal, a reaction that drew clear annoyance from the home crowd as Sunderland hauled themselves level late on. Chris Rigg replaced Mayenda after the goal.
Tensions flare after full-time whistle
There were brief tensions after the final whistle as tempers flared between the two sides. Geertrudia was involved in an exchange with Guglielmo Vicario, but the situation was quickly calmed without further incident. Tottenham were booed off by sections of the home crowd at full-time.