Sunderland 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur: Black Cats Grab Another Draw

Sunderland came from behind twice to grab an unlikely draw thanks to goals from Adam Johnson and an own goal by Harry Kane

Tottenham started the half on the front foot and nearly took a first minute lead through left back Danny Rose but he was denied by Vito Mannone. The Sunderland defence were struggling to get out and Spurs didn’t have to wait long for the opening goal.  It came on 2 mins through Nacer Chadli after the Sunderland defence backed off Adebayor allowing him to shoot, his effort was well saved by Mannone but Chadli reacted quickest to pounce on the rebound and put Tottenham ahead.

Spurs didn’t have the lead for long though as Sunderland equalised straight away. Adam Johnson picked up the ball on the left wing and drove at the spurs defence, he cut inside into the box and his deflected shot beat Lloris and found its way into the net.

The opening stages were end to end but it was Tottenham who were creating the chances. Adebayor was sent through on goal after a lofted through ball by Eriksen but his effort was saved by the outstretched Mannone. The resulting corner caused confusion and Kaboul’s back post shot was blocked before it could trouble Mannone.

The game calmed down after the hectic early stages but Sunderland continued to struggle to get a foothold in the game as Spurs dominated possession. Dembele and Lamela were causing problems in the pocket between midfield and defence and it was Dembele who nearly fired Spurs back into the lead on 38 mins. He was allowed time and space outside the box to unleash an effort which cannoned back off the post.

The second half started exactly like the first with Tottenham playing with intensity and Sunderland backing off allowing Tottenham space to play. Tottenham took the lead again after two minutes of the restart. Static defending from the Black Cats allowed Chadli to get to the by-line and his cross was only half cleared leaving an un-marked Eriksen the easiest of tasks to slide the ball into the empty net.

The home fans had to wait until the 67^th minute for Sunderland’s first chance of the second half. It was Adam Johnson who collected the ball on the edge of the box and fired a shot just wide of the post.

Tottenham nearly made sure of the win on 75 mins after terrible defending from Sunderland allowed Lamela to dribble into the box but he saw his curling shot hit the woodwork.

And Tottenham were made to pay for missing a host of chances on 82 mins as Sunderland found another equaliser. A driven free kick from Jordi Gomez took a number of touches in the box before being deflected into the net by the unfortunate Harry Kane for an own goal.

The Black Cats should have nicked all three points on 89 mins after superb play from Giaccherini on the left side fed Van Aanholt who’s low cross was met by Buckley but his shot sailed over the bar.

Sunderland (4-3-3): Mannone, Vergini, van Aanholt, Brown, O'Shea (c), Cattermole, Larsson (Giaccherini 64’), Rodwell (Gomez 79’), Johnson, Alvarez (Buckley 64’), Wickham.

Subs: Pantilimon, Jones, Bridcutt, Gomez, Buckley, Giaccherini, Altidore.

Goals: Johnson (4’), Kane (og 82’)

Tottenham Hotspur (4-5-1): Lloris, Kaboul, Rose, Chiriches, Dier, Capoue, Dembélé, Chadli (Stambouli 69’), Lamela, Eriksen (Lennon 85’), Adebayor (Kane 78’).

Subs: Vorm, Fazio, Naughton, Lennon, Stambouli, Townsend, Kane.

Goals: Chadli (3’), Eriksen (47’)