Spurs 5-1 Sunderland

Spurs returned to 6th in the League table with a resounding win over a dismal Sunderland side at White Hart Lane.

Lee Cattermole gave the Black Cats the lead in the first half – passing home from 25 yards after a comedy of errors left Hugo Lloris’ goal gaping. The lead lasted just 11 minutes, though, as Christian Eriksen’s left-footed drive found Emmanuel Adebayor at the back post to dubiously tuck away.

The second half was a different story, with the early high pressure from Fabio Borini and Adam Johnson nullified by a relentless Spurs attack. Eriksen was once again the provider as his in-swinging cross found Premiership debutant Harry Kane who duly obliged.

The Dane rounded off his performance with a goal of his own, deflecting home from outside the box, before Adebayor prodded home Kane’s goal-bound effort and substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson capitalised on Sunderland’s own defensive shambles.

The win gives boss Tim Sherwood a renewed hope of keeping his job past the Summer, while damning our opponents to almost certain relegation.

Hugo Lloris - 7 – Largely unbothered throughout the second half, after contributing to the embarrassing opening goal. His net was left open to the breeze as Lee Cattermole picked up a loose Chiriches pass.

Kyle Naughton - 7 – definitely growing on the Spurs support despite his early criticisms. Naughton doesn’t offer quite the same outlet as Kyle Walker however he has proved to be a worthy replacement on occasion. Without the sloppy errors he could even be in with a shout of the first team. Got forward well but as usual lacked final product.

Younes Kaboul - 7 – Took charge of a defence lacking in it’s supposed first team stars, however his partnership with Vlad looked sealed. Was helped largely by the fact that Fabio Borini hardly touched the ball, but lead the side fantastically.

Vlad Chiriches - 7 – A superb return from injury for Vlad despite his early disaster. Regular football should see the Romanian restored to the first team, especially in Dawson’s absence. Not afraid to bring the ball out from the back – a gap that is usually left unfilled.

Danny Rose - 7 – The kind of left-back we have been screaming for all season, finally Rose got on the shoulder of his winger and created chances. Should his final product improve (as is a feature of any Spurs player) he will have no trouble maintaining a first team place. Sloppy performances have seen him made a scapegoat of recent times, but his eagerness to bomb forward put him in the good books.

Aaron Lennon - 6 – got in behind the Sunderland defence on numerous occasions but his decision making was atrocious at times. The scoreline could easily have read more if Aaron had made his mind up about pulling his cross back, or flashing it across goal correctly. Promising signs but – again – final product is the key.,

Paulinho - 6 – Played the deeper of the two centre midfielders, probably not his best position, but put a solid shift in tonight. Might not keep his place when Dembele and Sandro return, but played more like a £17million man.

Nacer Chadli - 6 – made less of an impact as in recent games, but his brace in Benfica has invigorated the Belgian into something brand new. Playing as a central midfielder, and playing well, has seen the one-time winger grow in confidence. Sprayed the ball well across the edge of the Sunderland box.

Christian Eriksen - 9 – Picked up a goal and two assists to prove that he is our match winner. It is plain and simple to see that any future Tottenham side MUST be built around this talented 22 year old, who set up goals for Kane and Ade with stunning deliveries before driving home himself. Every good piece of play seems to go through the Dane, who split apart the defence with ease

Harry Kane - 8 – Brilliant League debut from Kane, who worked harder than anyone else out there. Deserved his goal – should have been two – and ran the channels as good as any. A good shout to put him ahead of Soldado, currently missing through injury, in the pecking order.

Emmanuel Adebayor - 8 – Great shift again from Ade who dropped deep into midfield to almost dictate the play by himself. A constant runner – something we haven’t seen for a while – and finally a striker who knows where the net is.

SUBS
Gylfi Sigurdsson - 7 – grabbed himself yet another goal from the bench, and could play more of a part in central midfield due to his recent contributions.

Andros Townsend - N/a

Milos Vejikovic - N/a (Great to see another debutant!)

 

Think kane had an excellent game which makes soldado look even worse a buy, eriksen is pure class Levy please dont sell him after next season, again a poor goal conceded but good result in the end i cant make out if we were good or sunderland were poor bit of both! Lets catch the scum now

 

Kane worked hard and Ade was dictating play at times which really freed up eriksen who was outstanding. Fourth place is still there.....

 

just trying to get my head around this new format. oldies like me dont always like changes. anyway nice win for the lads. Eriksen,Ade and kane all good games, Eriksen outstanding again. the rest put in a decent shift but sunderland were rubbish even after we gifted them one. pleased for Harry.

 

Wow. I was completely shocked by this result. Kaboul and Vlad look much more assured then daws and Jan. Christian Eriksen is just pure class and ade looked hungrier then ever. Excellent second half performance especially last night and a great win.