Sunderland Echo

Sunderland were back in Premier League action as they faced Spurs on Sunday afternoon.

Ben Davies scored in the first half to give Spurs a deserved lead, but the visitors battled back well and equalised thanks to a brilliant effort from Brian Brobbey. Here’s how we rated all the Black Cats involved on the day...

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.

Every player wants to play, so that feeling is normal. That’s not just me, all the players want to play. But sometimes you have to be patient and wait for your moment, and today it was a good game for me. I was back in the starting XI and I tried to do my best to help the team. That is always the most important thing. It’s always a little bit frustrating when you don’t play, but that’s part of football, you have to wait and keep working.

Sometimes, you just have to wait. Everybody wants to play, but sometimes when the team is getting good results, you have to wait. Then when you play, you just have to do your best. Today was a good game because I played for 90 minutes and I was very happy about that. I’m always ready to play, even if it’s ten or 15 minutes, you have to be ready to play. I was ready, and I’m very happy.

They are a tough challenge, in a great place with a great stadium. So another exciting challenge for the squad. It will be important to recover quickly, but they played the same time so they won’t have the advantage. Reset, recover properly and go again.

When you play a good game like that I think the mood is positive and it’s easier to recover quickly. So for the squad at the minute we were really frustrated after Leeds, for different reasons, but I still think it was a good point. Today the mood is a bit different, but we can’t be complacent it’s impossible, so let’s see.

I think [Regis Le Bris] has done fantastically. Very, very impressive. The first season in the Premier League, and also, as you say, with changing a lot of players. It's been very clear what they want to do. They understand that when you go up in the Premier League, you need to defend very well. They're very good on set-pieces. They're very good.

They fight, they run, and now they've got the confidence and done very well against a lot of teams, but also away from home. So it's going to be a tough test.

Sunderland are looking to build on an excellent point against Manchester City when they travel to face Spurs on Sunday afternoon (3pm kick off).

Both Régis Le Bris and Thomas Frank have a lengthy list of absentees for the game - here we bring you up to speed with all the latest team news from both camps as we have it...

Sunderland face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.

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Jeff Stelling has backed Sunderland to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five matches with a draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.

The Black Cats make the long trip down to the capital off the back of a wholly impressive 0-0 stalemate with Manchester City on New Year’s Day, with Regis Le Bris’ men mustering a battling defensive display to preserve their clean sheet, while also threatening on numerous occasions at the other end.

For their part, Spurs were also held to 0-0 draw on Thursday, with head coach Thomas Frank subjected to the ire of his side’s travelling support after they failed to find a way past his old club, Brentford.

What has Jeff Stelling said ahead of Tottenham Hotspur vs Sunderland?

And speaking to talkSPORT ahead of this weekend’s game, Stelling has predicted another sharing of the spoils in North London. He said: “The last of the three o’clock kick-offs sees Spurs welcome Sunderland to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Spurs are still to persuade me they can finish above Sunderland this season, and their form at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, well, it regularly incurs the wrath of the home faithful. All Spurs’ home defeats though, have been by the odd goal.

“Sunderland, well they’ve got absentees haven’t they, with the African Cup of Nations - little short in terms of numbers, but not short in terms of spirit. I’m going Spurs 1-1 Sunderland.”

What did Regis Le Bris say about Sunderland draw vs Man City?

Reflecting on his side’s display against Man City, and how it differed from when the Premier League title contenders won 3-0 at the Etihad when the two sides met in early December, Le Bris told a post-match press conference: "One more good point against one of the best teams in Europe.

"With many threats, they can score from everywhere, from different phases. I think we defended well. We were bold to press high, a bit more consistent in the midblock, I think. In the defensive third, we were consistent. It was like a hybrid system. We used this system at Liverpool once. I thought it was a good option today, because if you drop too early in your back five, you can't face, over the full game, their ability to manage the ball and create chances. I think it went well. With the ball, I think we showed many good things as well.

"We struggled when we played away against City to escape their counter-press, they were impressive. They were good again today, but I think we were better this time. I think this point helped us to manage the ball and to breathe, because it's important to have the ball. We created chances as well. Our low build-up was good, especially during the first half.

"I think we are learning and I think from the first game against this team to the second one, we showed that we adjusted many things and I think it shows that those players are ready to learn and to change different things to be more competitive, which is really positive."

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Le Bris also praised his squad for stepping in and maintaining the level of performance despite having a large number of senior players absent due to suspension and AFCON commitments. He said: "I told you before the AFCON that we don't have to set a limit before because I think we have many good players.

"Obviously, they have to learn, they have to show their quality on the pitch. But what we see every day on the training pitch, they have good profiles and if you give them the structure, the confidence, great leaders, I think they can play well. For example, Dennis [Cirkin], Eli [Mayenda] today were good."

Sunderland have been credited with an interest in Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson.

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Sunderland and Everton are amongst the clubs looking to hijack Crystal Palace’s £35 million deal to sign Brennan Johnson from Tottenham Hotspur, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

Reports emerged on Tuesday revealing that the Eagles have already reached a full agreement with Spurs over a financial package for the Wales international ahead of the January transfer window opening, with the understanding being that it is now up to the player whether or not he wants to complete a switch to Selhurst Park.

And to that end, Romano claims that a number of Premier League sides, including the Black Cats, are also interested in signing Johnson.

What has Fabrizio Romano said about Sunderland’s transfer interest in Brennan Johnson?

Addressing Palace’s bid to sign Johnson on his YouTube channel, Romano explained: “Brennan Johnson has to decide whether he wants to go to Crystal Palace or wait for other opportunities.

“It is my understanding that Bournemouth are ready to pay the transfer fee, and there are also Sunderland and Everton calling in the last 24 hours. So now Brennan Johnson has to decide what he wants to do in terms of technical project, in terms of contract, in terms of city - he’s based in London, obviously.”

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What has Thomas Frank said about Brennan Johnson’s future at Tottenham?

For his part, Tottenham boss Thomas Frank remained elusive on Johnson’s future in a press conference ahead of his side’s clash with Brentford on New Year’s Day. He said: “Again, this is the third time, I think, I get that question. There’s rumours out there. In general, I will not comment on that - no matter if we want to sign or sell a player, or get a staff member in or out. I have no interest in commenting either way.”

Asked whether Johnson would be part of his squad for Thursday’s fixture, Frank replied: “He contributed to a very good and important win against Crystal Palace [on Sunday]. He trained very well today. I expect him fully to be available and able to play against Brentford.”

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Johnson signed for Tottenham from boyhood club Nottingham Forest in 2023 for a fee of around £47.5 million, and has since gone on to register 27 goals and 18 assists in 107 appearances. Last term, he finished the campaign as Spurs’ top scorer, with 18 goals in all competitions, including the winner in the Europa League final in May. Predominantly operating as right winger but also capable of playing on the opposite flank, this season the 24-year-old has found the back of the net four times in 21 outings across all competitions.

Sunderland reportedly weigh January sale as Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth register transfer interest

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Sunderland are reportedly willing to consider offers for 23-year-old defender Dennis Cirkin in January – but only if their valuation is met, according to SportsBoom.

Cirkin, who joined the Black Cats from Tottenham Hotspur in 2021, is reportedly attracting interest from his former club, with Spurs said to be closely monitoring the situation ahead of the winter transfer window. The London side inserted a sell-on clause when he moved to Wearside, and have been repeatedly linked with bringing the left-back back to north London.

SportsBoom also claims that Bournemouth have reportedly made initial enquiries to establish whether Sunderland would be open to a sale. The Premier League club are believed to be assessing several left-back options and view Cirkin as a player with long-term potential if he can return to full fitness. Cirkin’s current deal expires next summer, placing Sunderland in a position where a decision on his future is fast approaching. The Black Cats are thought to be open to a renewal if the defender can put his injury troubles behind him and prove his reliability across the second half of the season.

The 23-year-old has endured a frustrating run with injuries over the past 18 months, limiting his starts and reducing his impact during Régis Le Bris’ early months in charge. However, when fully fit, Cirkin has been among the club’s most consistent performers, playing a vital role in the rise from League One to the Premier League. Sunderland are not believed to be actively pushing Cirkin out the door, but the club is increasingly pragmatic in the transfer market and would reportedly listen to significant offers.

Much will depend on his fitness trajectory in the coming weeks and whether Spurs or Bournemouth choose to firm up their interest with formal bids once January opens. For now, Cirkin’s future remains one of the key Sunderland storylines heading into the winter window – with multiple Premier League clubs watching the situation closely.

Cirkin recently completed two full 90 minutes for Sunderland’s youth side as he continues to build rhythm ahead of his eventual Premier League return. U21s lead coach Graeme Murty was quick to highlight both his quality and his leadership. “I think Dennis, if you talk to him, if you spend any time with Dennis, you realise overall what a good human being he is. He's a great lad, and I think he brings a real steady head but high standards to our group and he's fantastic for the players to work with,” Murty said.

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“He talks to them really respectfully, he teaches them really well and he's just really giving of his time. So we just want to thank all the first-team players, really. When they come in, they are, as you would hope, really, really good guys who are understanding of our young players and want them to do well, which sometimes isn't always the case. But with these guys, you get the perception that they want to be in the team, they want to make an impact, and they want our young players to succeed.”

Ex-Sunderland star Paul Bracewell has been speaking about his future

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Former Sunderland midfielder Paul Bracewell has outlined his ambitions to move into a Sporting Director’s role following his exit from Tottenham Hotspur.

The 63-year-old, who spent a decade working with the North London outfit, left his role earlier this year, and has since completed a course with the PFA that qualifies him to take up a directorial position.

Bracewell spent three separate spells with Sunderland during his own playing career, as well as lifting two Division One titles with Everton in 1985 and 1987. And with his two former clubs set to face each other at the Stadium of Light on Monday evening, the ex-Black Cat took the time to speak to Roker Report’s Ha’way the Podcast ahead of the clash.

What did former Sunderland midfielder Paul Bracewell say about his future ambitions?

When asked about his recent departure from Tottenham and his hopes for the future, Bracewell said: “I left Tottenham, I was there for nearly 10 years. I really enjoyed my time there. John McDermott, who's now the Technical Director of the FA, took us in, working with the 21s all the way down to the under-12s, developing the talent. And I think, as you can see, we've produced some real good young players and one or two of the lads that worked with me have been there around the first team, which is always great to see.

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“But you've got to move on. I finished the Sporting Directors course in the summer, so I was really pleased to do that. It was a two-year course with the PFA, so I'm now looking to be in more of a senior role at a football club. And I've spoken to one or two people and there's one or two things on offer, so I've just got to make sure I make the right choice.

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Addressing the need to settle on the right club for his next role, he added: “One of the biggest things that I've always believed in, and the course really emphasised that, is your recruitment of people, not only as players but as staff. It's vitally important you get it right. And if you get it wrong, as we've seen many, many times, it can be disastrous. So you've got to take your time, and it works both ways. You've got to work with people that you can trust and have that belief. So like you said, the recruitment side is really, really important.”

Ex-Sunderland loanee Antoine Semenyo has a release clause as top clubs weigh up £75million move...

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Former Sunderland loanee Antoine Semenyo is once again attracting major Premier League attention – and talkSPORT now claims the Bournemouth forward has a release clause written into his current contract.

The 25-year-old Ghana international has enjoyed a blistering start to the campaign, directly contributing to nine Premier League goals so far. Only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has been involved in more.

According to reports, Bournemouth inserted a release clause into Semenyo’s new deal last summer to protect their position amid growing interest from England’s biggest clubs. The exact value of the clause remains confidential, though the Cherries are understood to value their star man at more than £75million.

Semenyo signed a five-year contract extension at the Vitality Stadium earlier this year, despite holding talks with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United and being monitored by Liverpool. Bournemouth’s hierarchy were said to be realistic about his trajectory, recognising that including a clause would help secure his commitment while providing flexibility should an elite club come calling.

The former Sunderland loanee has been a revelation on the south coast, scoring 13 goals and assisting seven more across all competitions last season as Bournemouth recorded their best-ever Premier League points total and equalled their highest finish of ninth place.

Born in London, Semenyo began his career at Bristol City before joining Sunderland on loan in January 2020 as a raw 19-year-old. Then, under Phil Parkinson, the Black Cats brought him in to boost their League One promotion bid, but he made just seven appearances before the season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. Five years on, Semenyo’s career has taken off in spectacular fashion. With several top-flight giants circling, Bournemouth now face a battle to keep hold of one of the Premier League’s most in-form forwards.

Sunderland hit with fresh injury concern ahead of Wolves

Sunderland have been hit with a fresh injury concern after Omar Alderete was forced off late in Paraguay’s friendly defeat to South Korea on Tuesday.

The defender was substituted in the 81st minute of the 2–0 loss, with ESPN’s live feed noting that he appeared to pick up a knock. Subsequent reports in Paraguay suggested the 28-year-old was struggling with muscle discomfort, though the full extent of the problem remains unclear.

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Sunderland will hope Alderete’s withdrawal was purely precautionary. The centre-back has been outstanding since arriving from La Liga side Getafe in the summer and has quickly become one of Régis Le Bris’ most reliable performers. His presence will be vital when the Black Cats return to Premier League action against Wolves on Saturday.

Alderete is expected to undergo assessment at the Academy of Light upon his return to Wearside in the coming days. Should he be deemed unfit to feature, Dan Ballard is likely to step back into the starting XI – though at this stage, Sunderland remain optimistic that Alderete’s issue is minor.

Tottenham are being tipped to move for Sunderland left-back Dennis Cirkin, with ex-Spurs scout Bryan King calling a potential return to North London a “no-brainer.”

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Tottenham Hotspur have been tipped to make a move for Sunderland defender Dennis Cirkin, with former Spurs scout Bryan King calling a potential deal a “no-brainer”.

Cirkin, 23, is entering the final year of his contract at the Stadium of Light, and his future on Wearside has become the subject of growing speculation following Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League. The left-back has yet to feature this season due to injury and faces stiff competition for his place after the arrivals of Reinildo from Atlético Madrid and Arthur Masuaku.

Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, King suggested that Spurs could look to bring Cirkin back to North London, where he began his career before joining Sunderland in 2021. “If he’s a free agent, then it’s a no-brainer if they’ve been watching him and scouting him for the last few months,” King said.

“Spurs can obviously make an approach for him before the end of his contract. I’m surprised that Sunderland haven’t got him tied up if I’m honest. I would say that we’re in agent territory now. He’ll obviously be trying to get the best deal for his client. It’s always difficult going back to a club, but he’s at a good age, and why not from Tottenham’s point of view?”

Tottenham had previously included a £6million buy-back clause in Cirkin’s Sunderland contract, but that expired on 30 June 2024. While Spurs no longer hold a direct option to re-sign him, they remain entitled to a percentage of any future profit through a sell-on clause.

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has made it clear that securing new contracts for Cirkin and club captain Dan Neil is a priority following the summer transfer window. But with the defender now inside the final 12 months of his deal, January could prove decisive if fresh terms are not agreed.

Cirkin has made over 100 appearances for Sunderland since joining from Spurs, playing a key role in their rise from League One to the Premier League. A return to his boyhood club remains a possibility, but the Black Cats are determined to keep one of their most talented young defenders tied down to a long-term future on Wearside.

Le Bris provides injury update after game

Le Bris has provided an update on Enzo Le Fée’s condition following the Black Cats’ goalless draw at Crystal Palace. The midfielder was a surprise absentee from the matchday squad at Selhurst Park, with Le Bris confirming before kick-off that he had picked up a “small injury” during Friday’s preparations.

His absence meant Simon Adingra was drafted into the starting XI, while Wilson Isidor also replaced Eliezer Mayenda in the only other change from the side that beat Brentford last time out. Speaking after the final whistle in South London, Le Bris admitted he was still unsure over a specific timeline for Le Fée’s return but stressed that the issue is not thought to be serious.

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“I don't know exactly what would be the time to rest. It doesn't seem too serious, but we'll see,” he said. “He's an important player for us because we can combine the winger position with a number 10’s ability, and I think to generate a bit more unpredictability in our game. It should have been really interesting to play with him, but it wasn’t an option today. It isn’t too bad.”