Sunderland Echo

Sunderland earned a narrow home win against Premier League rivals Spurs - but there was a big talking point during the Stadium of Light clash.

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There was a moment of controversy in Sunderland’s 1-0 win against Premier League relegation candidates Tottenham Hotspur as the visitors were awarded a penalty after a questionable decision by referee Robert Jones.

The incident came with the midway point of the first-half approaching as Black Cats duo Luke O’Nien and Omar Alderete challenged for the ball with Spurs forward Randal Kolo Muani inside their own area. The France international went to ground under minimal contact from Alderete and O’Nien got involved in the situation in a decision that was questioned by former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.

Jones wasted little time in pointing to the spot, much to the bemusement of the vast majority of those inside the Stadium of Light. However, the decision was overturned after a review that was instructed by VAR official James Bell and the decision was communicated by Jones after he assessed the footage via a pitchside monitor. He said: “After review, home 15 clearly plays the ball first, before any subsequent contact. Final decision is a drop ball to the goalkeeper. No penalty.”

Former Spurs and Sunderland striker Darren Bent believes Kolo Muani’s reaction shows that the team of officials got to the correct decision and stressed Alderete had clearly got to the ball first.

When asked if the decision was correct, Bent told Sky Sports: “I think so, yes. You can quite clearly see Alderete gets his foot on the ball first and then it’s just a coming together. You can see Kolo Muani there, he’s not even asking for the penalty. I think he’s asking for a corner because he thinks he’s earned a corner. Once it’s given, you see a reaction and it’s ‘thank you, ref’ but, for me, they got to the right decision.”

The Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher replied: “They have got to the right decision - but if I was Sunderland manager, I’d be saying to Luke O’Nien, ‘what are you doing?’. It’s a stupid challenge, it’s got nothing to do with you, just stay out of it. I’m not saying he was lucky to get away with it because it wasn’t a penalty - but it’s a daft challenge to make.”

Sunderland claimed a 1-0 home win against Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.

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One Sunderland star has been praised by a former Black Cats striker for showing a ‘really positive’ mindset that helped Regis Le Bris’ side increase Tottenham Hotspur’s relegation concerns.

The North London outfit arrived at the Stadium of Light looking to mark Roberto de Zerbi’s first game in charge with a win that would have lifted them out of the Premier League relegation zone. Although there were some positive moments for the visitors, they remain in the bottom three after a Nordi Mukiele goal separated the two sides when the full-time whistle was blown.

The main talking point of the first-half came when a decision to award a penalty to Spurs was overturned after a VAR review as Black Cats defender Omar Alderete was ruled to have got a foot on the ball before visitors forward Randal Kolo Muani went to ground. Sunderland increased the tempo after the break and the decisive moment arrived just after the hour-mark as Mukiele charged towards the Spurs area before unleashing a shot that took a wicked deflection off Micky van der Ven and wrong-footed keeper Antonin Kinsky before nestling inside the far post.

One interested onlooker was former Sunderland and Spurs striker Darren Bent as he formed part of Sky Sports’ team of pundits for the fixture - and he praised match-winner Mukiele for his ‘really positive’ decision to break forward that handed his side all three points that boosted his side’s chances of challenging for a European place and pushed their visitors further into relegation trouble.

He told Sky Sports: “It was (a big deflection) but it’s really positive as he drives forward. When you’re at the bottom, everything goes against you. Mukiele does really well, he keeps driving, keeps going, has a shot. Kinsky probably makes a comfortable save in the end but when you’re down there, the deflection just wrong foots him the other way and it goes in the corner so Sunderland pick up all three points.”

Sunderland climbed into the top half of the Premier League with a crucial and deserved win against Spurs.

Though Nordi Mukiele benefited from a huge deflection to put his side ahead in the second half, Regis Le Bris’s side were worthy of the three points on a day when they spurned some big chances and limited Spurs to little.

Here’s how we rated all 14 of the Black Cats involved on the day...

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

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Sunderland enjoyed a big slice of fortune to score the crucial goal in the game but that was not to say that the three points were not thoroughly deserved.

Nordi Mukiele’s long-range strike flew into the back of the net via a wicked deflection but Sunderland created the better chances either side of that moment against a Spurs side who laboured despite the arrival of new head coach Roberto De Zerbi.

Having come through a bright start from the visitors, Sunderland played some inventive, attacking football epitomised by the energy of Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra in midfield. Other than a big save right on the brink of half time, Robin Roefs had little to do.

In a game of huge significance for the visitors, De Zerbi had set his stall out with an attacking line up that featured three strikers. It wasn't the extreme possession-based style for which the Italian has become renowned, however, with the risk being in an aggressive man-for-man marking system they deployed to try and spring players clear on the break. In the early stages it almost worked, with a cross from Dominic Solanke just eluding Lucas Bergvall before Richarlison fired straight at Roefs from a promising position.

Sunderland grew into the contest though, and spurned some big opportunities to take the lead. Lovely play from Reinildo and Le Fee saw the latter cross for Brobbey, who headed over the bar from close range. Spurs though they had a golden opportunity to take the lead when Kolo Muani went down in the box, but referee Rob Jones overturned his initial decision

Sunderland continued to have the better of the game, albeit with many of their better chances coming from set piece situations. Xhaka smashed a half volley just wide of the far post after a long throw fell into his path, before Brobbey drew a superb close-range block from Antonin Kinsky when a free kick was flicked into his path.

Sunderland actually had more possession in the first half, a signal of their intent and also the desire from the visitors to play on the break. It almost worked when Solanke drew a strong save from Roefs at close range just before the break, but Sunderland should have been ahead on balance of play.

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The first half had been an entertaining affair but the second was noticeably quieter to begin with, De Zerbi lining up a triple substitution before Sunderland struck on the hour mark. It was a big slice of luck from Sunderland as Mukiele’s long-range effort took a wicked deflection to wrong foot Kinsky, but it was also a good move that saw Diarra find the full back who drove infield unchallenged by a passive Tottenham defence.

Despite those changes, it was Sunderland who looked the more likely to score again and only some heavy touches and poor decisions in the final third prevented them from carving out some big chances as Spurs struggled to really test Roefs.

Sunderland’s inability to find that final pass in the closing quarter made the eleven minutes of stoppage time nervier than perhaps they should have been, though they defended their box resolutely and limited the visitors to a long-range shot from Porro that Roefs pushed well over the bar.

Sunderland held out to climb into the top half with a deserved win.

Spurs had a penalty overturned by VAR in the first half at the Stadium of Light

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Spurs had a first-half penalty overturned at the Stadium of Light after a VAR check ruled that Omar Alderete won the ball when challenging with Randal Kolo Muani.

The visitors though they had a golden opportunity to take the lead midway through the first half at the Stadium of Light when Muani ran into the Sunderland box, with the referee Rob Jones blowing for a penalty after Alderete challenged and Luke O’Nien then slid in.

After the incident was reviewed by VAR official James Bell, Jones was encouraged to check his decision on the VAR monitor. The replays showed Alderete getting a touch on the ball before Muani went to ground, with O’Nien then making his challenge.

The decision was overturned and Sunderland were awarded a drop ball.

After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of penalty to Tottenham Hotspur. Referee announcement: “After review, home 15 clearly plays the ball first, before any subsequent contact. Final decision is a drop ball to the goalkeeper. No penalty.”

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Sunderland are back in Premier League action on Sunday afternoon

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Régis Le Bris has made four changes to his Sunderland XI to face Spurs this afternoon.

Though Dan Ballard remains absent with a hamstring issue, Robin Roefs is fit to start and returns to the starting XI. The Black Cats are also boosted by the returns of Reinildo, Nordi Mukiele and Enzo Le Fee to the starting XI after their recovery from recent injuries.

Arguably Le Bris’s biggest call is that Luke O’Nien retains his place at the heart of defence, with Mukiele coming in at right back. That means that Trai Hume and Lutsharel Geertruida drop to the bench, as well as winger Chemsdine Talbi. Le Fee will play on the left wing with Chris Rigg retaining his place on the right flank.

Sunderland XI: Roefs; Mukiele, O'Nien, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki, Diarra; Rigg, Le Fée, Brobbey

Subs: Ellborg, Hume, Geertruida, Cirkin, Jenson Jones, Harrison Jones, Talbi, Mayenda, Isidor

As expected, Antonin Kinsky is in goal for Spurs with first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario sidelined due to a hernia issue. New head coach Roberto De Zerbi has selected a very attacking XI, naming three strikers in the side.

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RLB challenges Sunderland to prove their top-half credentials during Premier League run in

Sunderland have all but secured their primary objective of Premier League safety but Le Bris says he has no concerns about his players easing off.

“Yeah after Leeds, when we reached the 40-point target we spoke about what might be the future because we always need objectives,” Le Bris said.

“Collective objectives, individual objectives and daily standards. And for the club it's clear, the owner, the director of football and so on, they want to be consistent in the top 10 in the Premier League. This is their vision, and I share this vision. And if you are consistent in this part of the table, one year, two years, you can be a bit closer to the top six, so we are doing well, and this season it is probably achievable. Is it early? Yes, maybe. But when it's on, you have to try and seize the opportunity, so we'll see.

“I think we still want to win and the pressure is more internal,” Le Bris added.

“We want to win again at home because we struggled a bit in the last sequence. It's about our standards. The main goal of the season is probably achieved now and it wasn't easy. Sometimes we can forget because it's always about the next game. But it was really hard and we struggled at times but we showed great character.

“Now we want to keep that because we want to grow.”

Roberto de Zerbi’s reign as Tottenham Hotspur head coach gets underway at Sunderland on Sunday afternoon.

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Roberto de Zerbi has given an insight into the message he has delivered to his Tottenham Hotspur players as he prepares to get his managerial reign underway with a tough-looking visit to Premier League rivals Sunderland this weekend.

The Italian was confirmed as permanent successor to former Spurs boss Thomas Frank last month - but he has had to wait to officially kick off his reign as the final international break of the season took place. The former Marseille boss will hope to guide his side away from the Premier League relegation zone and that is where Spurs could find themselves by Sunday morning if results elsewhere on Saturday go against them.

De Zerbi’s appointment brought questions over his coaching style and his preferred style of play that brought successor at Brighton and Hove Albion earlier in his career and he will be keen to make a similar impact on the squad he inherited from Frank. That has also provoked debate over whether the current Spurs players are compatible with what will be asked of them throughout the remainder of the season and beyond - but De Zerbi has revealed his first priority is to ensure they show the ‘right spirit’ and get themselves on the front foot.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the former Seagulls boss said: “Listen, my style is one part, about the style of play and one part about the character, the personality. I have no time enough to work in the principle or in build-up so much, or in the last 20 metres. I want to give organisation with the ball and without the ball. Two principles without the ball, three principles, four more. Something more in possession, in offensive phase and that's it.

“What I want to do, what I want to achieve immediately is the character, is the right spirit, the right courage to play, to attack. Because the DNA of this club, of this squad is to find the goal, to score. In this part I can be able to transfer, not in too much time, my principle.”

Jamie Redknapp is worried about his former club as they head to Sunderland in the relegation zone on Sunday.

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Jamie Redknapp has questioned whether or not Tottenham Hotspur have the ‘matchwinners’ to get themselves out of relegation trouble as they prepare to face Sunderland this weekend.

Spurs travel to the Stadium of Light on Sunday on a run of 13 Premier League games without a win, taking just five points during that time. That, coupled with West Ham’s resurgence - most recently thrashing Wolves 4-0 on Friday - has finally plunged them into the relegation zone for the first time this season.

Failure to beat Sunderland this weekend would keep the Lilywhites rooted inside the bottom three and bring them one step closer to what is surely one of the most shocking relegations in English football history.

Tottenham lacking a talisman ahead of Sunderland trip

West Ham’s win over Wolves was underlined by a superb performance by Jarrod Bowen and Taty Castellanos, who registered two assists and two goals in the match, respectively. Crysencio Summerville has also registered seven goals across all competitions since the turn of the year, including five in his last nine Premier League outings.

It’s those sorts of decisive forwards that Redknapp believes could drag the Hammers out of trouble this season, especially as Spurs struggle to find talismen of their own due to chronic injury issues and loss of form.

"You need matchwinners in your team, who's going to win a game by the scruff of the neck?" said Redknapp on Sky Sports following West Ham’s Friday night win.

"When I look at the Tottenham team, where's your matchwinner? Who's going to win you the game?

"When I look at Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, they have moments - that's the important thing. And that's now put an almighty pressure on Tottenham Hotspur, who have to go and beat Sunderland in their next game. That's not an easy fixture.

"Anything can happen. There will still be twists and turns. West Ham have only got to lose their next game at Crystal Palace next week and they're right back in it.

"It's very difficult to predict. But you need calm heads and what West Ham did today: look a threat from set pieces, a real threat from your best players - then you give yourself a real chance."

Redknapp also highlighted the centre-back pairing of Konstantinos Mavropanos and Axel Disasi as an area of strength for Nuno Espirito Santo. The former has scored three goals in his last three Premier League games, including a brace against Wolves, while the latter arrived in January and has been a rock for the East Londoners so far. The two have combined to form a simple yet effective partnership, built on solidity and simplicity, rather than overcomplicating things.

That is in contrast to Tottenham’s Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, who are highly regarded, but have been guilty of big errors and costly red cards this season. Redknapp believes thered may be an ego issue in that department for new manager Roberto De Zerbi to deal with - and it’s something Sunderland could exploit this Sunday through the relentless and powerful Brian Brobbey.

"Mavropanos and Disasi look a real partnership. They are the sort you want in a relegation fight," he added.

"And even though they are better players: I'm not sure those two centre-backs at Tottenham are. They think they're too good for a relegation fight. Romero's saying: I've won the World Cup and now we're in the bottom three.

"What they're going to be doing under De Zerbi is he'll be asking to play out from the back, take risks in your six-yard box. What West Ham know is their limitations, they don't take too many risks. Nottingham Forest and Leeds are like that as well.

"This is not the time to be thinking you're a better player than what you are. This is the time to play to your maximum, show your desire, head it and tackle.

"You need moments from top players, but this is a time for cool heads. That's what West Ham have shown here."

While Spurs are in trouble, a Sunderland win could see them move as high as seventh in the table if results go their way, with Regis Le Bris’ side still very much in the European hunt after their famous 2-1 comeback win over arch-rivals Newcastle United last time out.

Sunderland’s previous meeting with Spurs ended in a 1-1 draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in January, with Brian Brobbey’s late equaliser overturning a Ben Davies opener.

Noah Sadiki has given his verdict on Sunderland's push for European qualification, and this Sunday's clash at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

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Noah Sadiki believes Sunderland still have what it takes to climb higher in the Premier League table and push for Europe, though he’s taking nothing for granted.

The Black Cats return from the international break with a home clash against Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday, with the visitors arriving at the Stadium of Light desperately battling against relegation.

Many predicted that to be Sunderland’s fate before a ball was kicked. However, fuelled by an excellent summer recruitment drive, Regis Le Bris’ men sit 11th in the table following their memorable 2-1 comeback win away at arch-rivals Newcastle United last time out.

Sadiki cautiously optimistic about Sunderland prospects

With seven games to go, Sunderland are still just three points off the top seven and six points adrift of Liverpool in what is now confirmed to be the fifth and final Champions League spot.

Equally, however, a couple of bad results could see them slip quickly into obscurity, with 14th-place Crystal Palace just four points behind, with a game in hand.

So, while Sadiki and his teammates’ ambitions remain high, there is also good reason for everyone on Wearside to keep their feet on the ground for now.

“I think we can achieve way more and climb higher in the table but I’ve said it before. You need to do it game-by-game. You can’t project yourself,” DR Congo international Sadiki told Sunderland’s official website.

“At the start of the season, we started really strong and were in the top four and people were talking about Champions League. Then we fell off a little bit and people were talking about relegation.

“In this league, it’s hard to project yourself because if you lose, you can fall three places. If you win, you can climb three places.”

Sunderland prepare to face unpredictable Spurs

Sunday will be Roberto De Zerbi’s first game in charge of Tottenham after he replaced Igor Tudor in the dugout.

The Italian has a huge job on his hands, with Spurs winless in their last 13 Premier League matches and taking just five points during that time, in a run that’s left them 17th in the table and just a point above the relegation zone.

But De Zerbi’s arrival could make Spurs more dangerous, with the Lilywhites something of an ‘unknown’ in Sadiki’s eyes.

The midfielder added: “It’s difficult because you don’t know. Maybe he can come and change everything. We are going into the unknown a little bit but the coaches are going to figure it out… it’s not my job!

“It’s just a bad season from them. We all know that Tottenham is a big club in England and those seasons can happen.

“I don’t think anyone could have said at the start of the season that they were going to fight relegation.

“It’s going to be a game where most of the pressure is going to be on them. We are safe and the pressure is away from the team. I think it’s going to be a fun game to watch.”

Chris Sutton has given his verdict on the outcome of this weekend's clash between Sunderland and Spurs.

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Chris Sutton has made his prediction for Sunderland’s huge clash with Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.

The Black Cats welcome Spurs to the Stadium of Light on Sunday in a clash with implications in multiple areas of the Premier League table. Sunderland are looking to build on their derby win over Newcastle United before the international break and keep their outside European qualification chances alive, while Tottenham are desperately battling against what would be a truly shocking relegation.

Sunderland have the superior league form, too, winning two of their last three matches and losing just one of their last four. By contrast, Spurs have sleepwalked into the relegation battle, going winless in 13 and taking just five points during that time - culminating in a devastating 3-0 loss at home to table rivals Nottingham Forest last time out.

Chris Sutton makes Sunderland vs Tottenham Hotspur prediction

Predicting how Spurs will approach this game could prove to be very difficult, given it’s their first outing under new manager Roberto De Zerbi. Indeed, Sutton believes there are many question marks surrounding the Italian’s arrival at an extremely vulnerable time for the Lilywhites.

“What is Roberto de Zerbi going to do with Tottenham and how will he set them up?” the former Blackburn Rovers striker mused in his BBC Sport predictions column.

“I've read about when he went in at Brighton and how Lewis Dunk says it took the Seagulls players a while to get up to speed, externalise and adapt to his demands.

“The whole situation is just odd, with De Zerbi securing a five-year contract despite only hanging around for more than two years at one of his previous eight clubs.

“Good luck to him, but this is a difficult place for him to start.”

Predicting a valuable 1-0 win for Sunderland, Sutton continued: “Sunderland's form at the Stadium of Light has dipped a bit since they lost their unbeaten home record against Liverpool in February, but the Black Cats will be buoyant after beating Newcastle last time out.

“If Spurs are going to play the type of football we associate with De Zerbi, they will be open and expansive, and take risks - but will they have the confidence to do that?

“Sunderland are the team that come into this game with belief. They've had a brilliant season and their incentive now must be to stay above Newcastle in the table.”