Sunderland fought back to claim a 1-1 draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
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Had you told Sunderland fans at the break that this game would end with the visitors looking the most likely to win it, they might have struggled to believe you.
A stretched squad had looked lethargic and been comprehensively outplayed in the first half, deservedly finding themselves behind from Ben Davies’s close-range strike. It had looked for all the world like one game too far for Sunderland but somehow, as they so often do, Regis Le Bris’s side dug in and found another gear. The head coach’s changes proved key, Nordi Mukiele powering the side with some excellent attacking play from right back as Dan Ballard made his return from injury in the second half.
Brian Brobbey’s brilliant strike secured a deserved equaliser and as Spurs wobbled, it looked as if Sunderland might well snatch a remarkable winger. That wasn’t to be the case, but this fourth draw in succession was once again very much a point gained for the Black Cats.
Spurs had come into the game with their head coach Thomas Frank under increasing pressure from the club's fanbase after some insipid recent displays, but the warning signs for the visitors were there from a very early stage. The hosts had gone with an attacking line up and their desire to press aggressively was notable, with Sunderland struggling to escape the pressure.
Though Robin Roefs did not have any major early saves to make, half chances for Richarlison and Tel reflected a positive start from Frank's side. Sunderland looked lethargic, almost from the off second to most loose balls and outdone in 1-v-1 duels. The hosts had their best chance yet 25 minutes in when Sunderland were caught out by a quick free kick launched deep into their half from Pedro Porro. Spurs were 3-v-2 and worked it to Tel, who cuts inside and curled an effort just wide of the far post. Such lapses were typical of Sunderland's first half, and another granted the hosts a deserved opener. Romero was left free to chest down a corner at the back post, and had time to cut it back into the heart of the Sunderland box. Van de Ven turned it towards goal and Ben Davies showed good footwork to do the rest, turning the ball over the line. Sunderland could have few complaints about the scoreline.
Le Bris's side did begin to enjoy a little more possession as the half developed, and Trai Hume had Vicario concerned briefly when a long throw dropped to him 20 yards out and he whistled an effort just over the bar.
On the whole, though. Spurs had been dominant across the pitch and too powerful in possession for a seemingly tired Sunderland side.
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Perhaps stung by some harsh words at the interval, Sunderland came out with noticeably more purpose nad interval after the break. That led to opportunities for Spurs on the break, with Richarlison spurning one golden opportunity to cross for a simple tap-in at the back post, but the visitors were at least in a contest and offering a threat of their own. They actually carved out some decent openings, Brobbey’s effort deflected wide after a loose pass from Romero allowed him to play a 1-2 with Mayenda.
The decibels in the away end were beginning to rise significantly as Adingra curled an effort just wide of the far post from the second phase of a corner, Sunderland sensing that they might be able to take something from the game even if the threat on the break was clear.
Le Bris changed shape as the game headed towards its final stages, bringing on Ballard and Mundle. That saw Hume move across to left back and significantly, Mukiele out to right back. With Spurs dropping deeper and Sunderland beginning to get on top of the game, Mukiele was getting into good positions to cross. One shooting opportunity just evaded Mundle before another wonderful delivery was headed onto the foot of the post. Moments later, Mukiele’s pass inside allowed Le Fee and Brobbey to play a 1-2, the latter then gathering the ball and smashing an effort into the top corner on his weaker left foot.
In the moments that followed it looked as if Sunderland would go on to win it, but Spurs steadied and had one good late chance when substitute Palhinha nodded just wide of the far post. Sunderland were in the end happy to take a point that at one stage looked beyond them.