Saturday December 29, 2012 Day 20 Finished Stadium of Light

Sunderland 1 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur

  • O'Shea 40’
  • Cuéllar 48’ (o.g.)
  • Lennon 51’

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  1. Premier League - Lennon fires Spurs past Sunderland

    Premier League - Lennon fires Spurs past Sunderland

    Aaron Lennon sealed a come-from-behind victory for Tottenham as they beat Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Sunderland
    • Tottenham Hotspur
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 on Monday morning (UK only).
    • - Hope you enjoyed that. Remember you can find me outside office hours talking sport on Twitter @Mark_Eurosport - Follow here!
    • 90+5' FULL-TIME: Spurs hang on. They deserved it, and they move to third in the table for now. AVB's side have now won six of their last eight Premier League matches.
    • 90+4' Another set piece for Sunderland - taken from deep by Colback. Sunderland throwing the bodies forward.
    • 90+3' Decent corner from Johnson, but Lloris is impeded by home players going for the ball.
    • 90+2' Sunderland win a corner as Wickham tries a snatched shot which is blocked out.
    • 90+1' Five minutes of added time to play - there's still a little life left in this match.
    • 90' Bale off, Vertonghen on for the visitors. More jeers for Bale from the home fans.
    • 89' Mignolet taking a long time over a free kick, and it allows Spurs to make a final change.
    • 88' Walker knocks the ball past Colback, then clatters into him in the hope of being awarded a free kick. Not happening.
    • 87' Naughton now wins the ball in the other half from Campbell and sets Spurs up on another atacking move.
    • 86' CLOSE! Johnson whips it across the goal after a pass from Sessegnon. It's Naughton who gets the vital block in just in time.
    • 85' Still, it won't stop Bale getting whistles from the home fans every time he gets the ball. Parker has replaced Lennon, who has been excellent.
    • 84' The Bale 'dive' already stirring debate. For what it's worth, I felt there wasn't enough contact for a penalty, but there was enough for it not to be a yellow card.
    • 83' Time running out for Sunderland here. They've not been close to scoring for some time, but they're still in touch.
    • 82' ADEBAYOR MISSES ONE! Should have gone in - Dempsey played him in with a deft pass - one-on-one with the keeper, Adebayor's shot is well-saved. Again, Spurs don't kill this game off.
    • 81' Bale goes down in the area, perhaps the faintest of touches by Gardner. The referee sees it as a dive. Yellow card for Bale, and he'll miss the next match.
    • 80' Dembele was booked for that challenge on Gardner a few moments ago, by the way - meantime Larsson is off for Sunderland, who throw on Wickham.
    • 79' Larsson to take a corner now for the home side - it's Bale who gets the blocking touch, but Sunderland come again.
    • 78' Powerful run from Gardner down the right - not much on, but he rides a couple of challenges before winning a free kick. Good effort, gets the crowd up at the Stadium of Light.
    • 77' Lennon close to laying on a third goal with a low centre, but once more Sunderland scramble clear. Spurs haven't put this game to bed yet.
    • 76' Defoe is off, replaced by Dempsey. Not the striker I'd have taken off, frankly. But then Defoe might well be needed to start on January 1.
    • 75' Bale now flies down the right for Spurs, but is unable to win a corner for his team.
    • 74' Adebayor playing very poorly today. If Spurs could find a player to support Defoe (Dempsey, Sigurdsson and Adebayor haven't nailed it) they'd look a very complete team.
    • 73' Another strong run from Bale, and the move falters when Adebayor's touch lets him down.
    • 72' Naughton mops up for Spursand heaves the ball upfield - but straight out for a throw. The game drifing as we go into the last 20 minutes.
    • 71' Lloris smothers the ball after a set-piece from deep. Sunderland's free kicks have lost their edge, and that's been their most (perhaps only) potent weapon.
    • 70' Team sheets beginning to appear for the 15:00 kick-offs - RVP benched for Manchester United... Every game LIVE
    • 69' Lloris has to fist this one away, and makes an excellent job of it. Seems like an awfully long time since there was a debate about who Spurs' first-choice keeper was.
    • 68' Better from Sunderland, Dawson yellow-carded for clattering into Sessegnon. Free kick in a very useful position by the corner flag.
    • 67' Sunderland line up another switch - goalscorer John O'Shea off and Titus Bramble replaces him.
    • 66' Larsson holds the ball back and then goes for the long threaded ball to Johsnon. Not a million miles away.
    • 65' Colback, who seems to have dropped back in at left-back, takes a throw as Sunderland look to build down the left.
    • 64' It is 13 months since Tottenham came from behind to win a Premier League away match – 3-1 at West Brom in November 2011. (Infostrada)
    • 63' Campbell offside in his first action of the match, going up for a Larsson free kick.
    • 62' Sessegnon flashes a shot wide, hitting across the ball and seeing it spin well away from the near post. Martin O'Neill cannot hide his frustration. First change of the match sees Kilgallon replaced by Campbell. Attacking.
    • 61' That's another opportunity missed from Tottenham - they are playing well, but only lead by one.
    • 60' DEFOE SHOULD MAKE IT THREE! Not sure how he missed it; he seemed to fall over himself as he took a shot from point-blank range against Mignolet. Bale the provider - a superb, trademark run and this time the perfect pass low to his striker. Somehow the score stays 1-2.
    • 59' Sessegnon shows strength to get up after being knocked down, but soon enough Sandro comes away with the ball. Spurs on the march again...
    • 58' Tottenham have now scored in each of their first 10 Premier League away matches this season – their longest streak of scoring in consecutive away matches from the start of a top flight season since 1960 (13-match streak). (Infostrada)
    • 57' Bale overhits a pass back for Dembele, but nothing seems to be stopping Spurs from attacking.
    • 56' Relatively harmless-looking ball again, but fortunately for the hosts this time Cuellar is nowhere near it and Sunderland clear.
    • 55' Fletcher will continue. Spurs surginging forward once more and win another corner. Naughton shapes to take it, but no - he has to step aside for Walker.
    • 54' Steven Fletcher now down and receiving treatment - not a man Sunderland can afford to lose, especially with a game to chase.
    • 53' Aaron Lennon scored his third Premier League goal of the season, and first away from home since November 2011. (Infostrada)
    • 52' Well, that's turned the game on its head. Spurs scored four against Villa in the second half on Boxing Day - you wouldn't rule out something similar here at this rate.
    • 51' GOAL! LENNON MAKES IT 2-1! Lennon plays a one-two with a Sunderland defender - no matter that his pass to his team-mate went awry, it comes back to himself, and he buries the shot low past Mignolet.
    • 50' Spurs look full of intent in the second half - Bale now whipping in a cross from the left that the Mackems clear. But very much a return to the first half, with the visitors in control.
    • 49' Tottenham have lost two of their three Premier League matches this season when behind at half time. (Infostrada)
    • 48' GOAL! SPURS ARE LEVEL! Shocker from Cuellar, who nods home an innocuous-looking corner into his own net. Miscommunication from the Sunderland defence, and this game is level once more.
    • 47' Poor challenge from Cuellar - just can't keep pace with Lennon, who makes a burst down the left. First yellow of the match.
    • 47' "Sounds like we're having one of those days..." says Richard Joyce, a beleaguered Spurs fan on Twitter. Last season's version of Adebayor would have put Spurs in front... As it is, it's Sunderland in prime position.
    • 46' Sunderland begin the second half.
    • - Can Spurs recover? Or will Sunderland's run of victories continue? Have your say on Twitter with me @Mark_Eurosport FOLLOW HERE!
    • 45+2' HALF TIME: Spurs end the half in possession, as they have been for most of the match. But it is O'Shea's cool finish that separates the sides, and Sunderland are on course for a third straight 1-0 win.
    • 45+1' Defoe claims a foul against Colback on the edge of the box - but it is waved on by the referee. Looks like he has taken a spectacular dive on the replay, so a good call.
    • 45' Two minutes of stoppage time to be played.
    • 44' Naughton cannot quite wiggle his way down the left-hand side, and knocks the ball out of play. Spurs still enjoying the majority of possession.
    • 43' AVB looks disconsolate on the touchline. His side have made all the running so far. But they scored four in the second half on Boxing Day, and there's still time in the match.
    • 42' John O'Shea's last Premier League goal came in Manchester United’s win at Stoke in September 2009. (Infostrada)
    • 41' Sunderland in front against the run of play, then, but they've taken their opportunities. Spurs' best one - Adebayor hitting the bar - went by the wayside.
    • 40' GOAL! JOHN O'SHEA'S FIRST FOR THE CLUB! It was a good ball from Larsson, leading to a Fletcher shot which was saved by Lloris. The ball pops up for O'Shea, however, and he needs no second invitation.
    • 39' Plenty of thought going into the free kick - looks like Larsson will take after some careful adjustments to the starting positions of the men in the box.
    • 38' Sessegnon clumsily tackled by Walker - he and McLean just making life a bit difficult for the Tottenham right-back.
    • 37' Chance now for Sunderland - after minutes of quiet there's a free kick on the right, whipped in and Cuellar's looped header just has Lloris worried for a moment before it goes over the top.
    • 36' Naughton wins the ball off Gardner on the edge of the Sunderland, but the midfielder in combination with O'Shea manages to restrict his chances of shooting or crossing, and end up with a goal kick.
    • 35' Sunderland want a handball against Dembele, but the referee had a clear view and reckoned he got it fairly. Another Spurs move starts, culminating in a blocked shot from Sandro.
    • 34' Sunderland have barely been out of their own half for the last 10-15 minutes. But they have survived.
    • 33' Walker tries a shot from all of 30 yards. You'll not be seeing that one on the highlight reels.
    • 32' Tottenham have conceded five Premier League first half goal this season – less than any other club. And none in the first 15 minutes of a match (Infostrada)
    • 31' Stinking miss from Adebayor - but equally shoddy defensive work from Cuellar to allow it. He looks all over the place since his injury.
    • 30' ADEBAYOR HITS THE BAR! HOW DID HE MISS? A mistake from Cuellar dealing with a cross-come-shot from Defoe - Adebayor has a chance to stick it in from just a couple of yards out, and lifts it on to the woodwork. Would surely have been easier to score.
    • 29' BALE! The winger goes close after Lennon's jinking run and stood-up cross. He has to put the power on his header, and ends up looping it just a little high and wide.
    • 28' Adebayor appeals for a handball against Larsson - given that it deflected off the Togo striker's boot into Larsson's hands not more than a metre or two away, that is not given.
    • 27' McLean grinds out a clearance on the left, straight down the touchline, but still Spurs keep coming.
    • 26' These are better moments from Spurs - they're starting to turn their possession into chances. Cuellar now has to nod out a cross for a corner.
    • 25' ADEBAYOR! Lovely ball from Lennon, splits the defence and Adebayor sneaks in. Sunderland have the quick reactions of Mignolet for saving them - he came out quick and smothered the shot from close range.
    • 24' More like it from Lennon - a zippy, low cross that is blocked out by Kilgallon. Walker stands over it.
    • 23' Just as a bit of space began to open up for Spurs, Lennon overhits a pass for Adebayor down the right. Spurs regroup, however.
    • 22' Cuellar will continue. Sunderland get the ball out of their own half as we reach the midway stage in the first half.
    • 21' Cuellar has gone down in a heap in that move. Sunderland a bit light on defensive options at present - they'll hope it's nothing serious. Looks like Colback fell on him as Sunderland scrambled.
    • 20' Driving run from Lennon fizzles out, but the ball comes back for Sandro via Bale. He drills a low shot from the edge of the area which takes a slight deflection - Mignolet saves.
    • 19' It's been a quiet start to the contest, but Sunderland have fired a warning shot there. They do have creative options.
    • 18' FIRST CHANCE FOR SUNDERLAND! Johnson makes it with a sharp cross from the left, Sessegnon puts it back across goal and Fletcher, normally so alert, was in the wrong place and the ball sailed by.
    • 17' The game has settled into a bit of a pattern here. Spurs enjoying most of the possession, but not doing much with it yet. Sunderland largely untroubled in defence.
    • 16' Tottenham have won five PL away matches this season – only Manchester United (7) have won more in the division. If they win today it will be only the second time in PL history that Spurs have won as many as six PL away matches between the start of a season and the New Year – they also won six last season. (Infostrada)
    • 15' Lovely ball from Walker to Lennon, weighted so the winger get around Kilgallon - but Lennon couldn't follow it up with a killer cross.
    • 14' "Hello sir I predict sunderland will win 2-1" - that's the view of ManCitychamp - while Joseph Sleiman99 reckons "1-2 to Tottenham, Bale influential in both the goals" - Have your say on Twitter!
    • 13' Bale darts from a central position across the line and down towards the left corner - his cross doesn't match the dynamism of that run.
    • 12' Fletcher wins a free kick after standing his ground going for a header with Caulker, who had his arms all over him.
    • 11' Strong play from Sandro to get out of defence and feed the ball to Defoe.
    • 10' Victory for Spurs today would see them rise (at least until the rest of the matches are completed this weekend) above Chelsea and into third place. A cracking race for the Champions League is brewing.
    • 9' Sunderland have picked up one point after falling behind this season – equal-fewest comeback points in the division with Aston Villa. (Infostrada)
    • 8' Pretty sedate opening few minutes. Sunderland may have struggled up front this year, but they haven't given much away.
    • 7' Defoe drives forward for the first time, but the Sunderland defence is well-organised, and shepherds him out of danger.
    • 6' Sessegnon tries an angled pass to pick out Johnson - not a bad idea but it's just out of his team-mate's reach and a goal-kick for Spurs.
    • 5' Gardner gets the chance, he cracks it low, it takes a deflection, but Lloris grabs the ball calmly.
    • 4' Dembele gives away a foul 25 yards out - over to Johnson, Gardner and Larsson to decide who'll try a shot on goal.
    • 3' Johnson tries to get past Naughton, but the Spurs defender stood strong. The winger feels he has a free kick, the referee disagrees.
    • 2' Fluid early passing from Spurs - the combinations of Dembele, Lennon, Bale and Adebayor looking very sharp already.
    • 1' Away we go! Spurs in dark blue shirts, Sunderland in their familiar red and white.
    • 12:44 Spurs to kick this one off.
    • 12:42 Where are my manners? I'm Mark Patterson, and I'll be steering you through this game. You can tweet me your thoughts and predictions if you like. FOLLOW HERE!
    • 12:41 But on the flip side, this from Infostrada - Tottenham have won just one of their last seven Premier League visits to the Stadium of Light (W1 D3 L3).
    • 12:40 A good stat from Opta - Spurs have suffered only two defeats in their last 19 Premier League games in the month of December (W11 D6 L2)
    • 12:35 Andre Villas-Boas on Gareth Bale: "He is up there with the best (in the world). He is showing tremendous skills and he is improving every day - he is such a young player - and helping the team. He is one of our major assets. You always expect that the team can make an individual even better. The team changes so much from one year to another, and as he keeps learning, he will feel even better and probably his performances will improve."
    • 12:30 Martin O'Neill on Danny Rose: "Spurs are up here this weekend and there might be a chance for some talks or at least a conversation. At this moment we just have to play it by ear and enjoy having Rose on Wearside while it lasts. We have an agreement in place we would be given notice if Spurs wanted to recall him. It is decent enough notice – something like two weeks – so we would have chance to find a replacement. If Tottenham do recall him, there is really nothing we can do about that."
    • 12:25 Bale's performances have made Real Madrid sit up and take notice apparently - he was on the front page of Spanish paper Marca yesterday with the headline: PRIORITY BALE More transfer rumours here!
    • 12:20 Bit of a change up in defence for Spurs, with AVB swapping out Gallas and Vertonghen for Caulker and Dawson, but his midfield and attack are unchanged in a 4-4-2 formation led by Defoe and Adebayor. For Sunderland O'Shea comes back in for Danny Rose, but otherwise it's the same starting XI that won at home on Boxing Day.
    • 12:15 SUNDERLAND: Mignolet; Gardner, Kilgallon, O'Shea, Cuellar; Larsson, Colback, Johnson, McClean; Sessegnon, Fletcher - subs - Campbell, Wickham, McFadden, Vaughan, Dong-won, Bramble, Westwood /// TOTTENHAM: Lloris, Walker, Caulker, Dawson, Naughton, Lennon, Dembele, Sandro, Bale, Adebayor, Defoe - subs - Friedel, Vertonghen, Huddlestone, Livermore, Parker, Dempsey, Sigurdsson
    • 12:10 A bit of a debate stirred up last night as we selected our top 10 Premier League goals of 2012. Watch (if you're in the UK) and have your say HERE!
    • 12:05 Spurs currently sit fourth in the table after trouncing Aston Villa on Boxing Day - while Sunderland are also in good form having defeated champions Manchester City earlier that same day. League table
    • 12:00 Hello and welcome to live text commentary as the Premier League weekend kicks off. We start at the Stadium of Light where Sunderland host Tottenham.

  • Summary

    • 86' CLOSE! Johnson whips it across the goal after a pass from Sessegnon. It's Naughton who gets the vital block in just in time.
    • 82' ADEBAYOR MISSES ONE! Should have gone in - Dempsey played him in with a deft pass - one-on-one with the keeper, Adebayor's shot is well-saved. Again, Spurs don't kill this game off.
    • 60' DEFOE SHOULD MAKE IT THREE! Not sure how he missed it; he seemed to fall over himself as he took a shot from point-blank range against Mignolet. Bale the provider - a superb, trademark run and this time the perfect pass low to his striker. Somehow the score stays 1-2.
    • 51' GOAL! LENNON MAKES IT 2-1! Lennon plays a one-two with a Sunderland defender - no matter that his pass to his team-mate went awry, it comes back to himself, and he buries the shot low past Mignolet.
    • 48' GOAL! SPURS ARE LEVEL! Shocker from Cuellar, who nods home an innocuous-looking corner into his own net. Miscommunication from the Sunderland defence, and this game is level once more.
    • 40' GOAL! JOHN O'SHEA'S FIRST FOR THE CLUB! It was a good ball from Larsson, leading to a Fletcher shot which was saved by Lloris. The ball pops up for O'Shea, however, and he needs no second invitation.
    • 30' ADEBAYOR HITS THE BAR! HOW DID HE MISS? A mistake from Cuellar dealing with a cross-come-shot from Defoe - Adebayor has a chance to stick it in from just a couple of yards out, and lifts it on to the woodwork. Would surely have been easier to score.
    • 29' BALE! The winger goes close after Lennon's jinking run and stood-up cross. He has to put the power on his header, and ends up looping it just a little high and wide.
    • 18' FIRST CHANCE FOR SUNDERLAND! Johnson makes it with a sharp cross from the left, Sessegnon puts it back across goal and Fletcher, normally so alert, was in the wrong place and the ball sailed by.
    • 12:15 SUNDERLAND: Mignolet; Gardner, Kilgallon, O'Shea, Cuellar; Larsson, Colback, Johnson, McClean; Sessegnon, Fletcher - subs - Campbell, Wickham, McFadden, Vaughan, Dong-won, Bramble, Westwood /// TOTTENHAM: Lloris, Walker, Caulker, Dawson, Naughton, Lennon, Dembele, Sandro, Bale, Adebayor, Defoe - subs - Friedel, Vertonghen, Huddlestone, Livermore, Parker, Dempsey, Sigurdsson

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6 7
      Defenders
      5 7
      Goal Substitution Out68′ 5.7 7
      Own Goal Yellow Card 4.5 5
      Substitution Out62′ 5 6
      Midfielders
      Substitution Out80′ 5.3 6
      5.5 6
      5.4 7
      5.7 6
      Strikers
      6.2 6
      5.7 6
      Subs
      Substitution In68′ 4.8 6
      Substitution In80′ 2.8 -
      Substitution In62′ 4.4 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      7.7 7
      Defenders
      5.9 6
      Yellow Card 6.3 7
      5.5 7
      6.1 8
      Midfielders
      6.5 7
      Yellow Card 6.5 7
      Goal Substitution Out83′ 7 8
      Yellow Card Substitution Out90′ 7.1 7
      Strikers
      Substitution Out76′ 6.9 7
      5.5 5
      Subs
      Substitution In83′ 6.9 -
      Substitution In76′ 7.3 -
      Substitution In90′ 6.8 -

Comment 130 - 150 of 150

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  1. So the real reason they won't bring in camera tech­ is cos it will expose these incompetent refs and­ officials as punks who don't have a clue! Replays­ have shown that bale didn't dive but because the­ cameras ain't in play bale's gonna miss­ matches? I play fifa n that and have no arguments when­ I'm caught offside cos it's obvious once you­ see the replay

    From adrian, on Mon 31 Dec 14:58

  2. It's sad to say as a Spurs fan but Bale is just too­ good for the Premier League. He's too quick for­ defences and far too quick for incompetent Referees­ like the useless Atkinson. If Atkinson had any honour­ he would have come out today and apologize to Bale and­ admit that he doesn't deserve to referee in the top­ flight.

    From Diogenes, on Sun 30 Dec 14:52

  3. this is for all the jordy to$$a's on our site­ Arsenal 7 (seven) scumcastle 3 p/s have a look at the­ league table ftm

    From Blackcat, on Sun 30 Dec 13:37

  4. Bale should have gone on and taken a short and score­ against Sundeland, not just fall and chance wasted.­ please learn from Kun Augero, players like Bale, are­ strong and should not go down cheaply. You can do­ better Bale! great player. As for Sunderland if they­ palyed with Man City like what the did against Spurs­ (attack), Sunderland will have lost the match by 4-1,­ Man City were unlucky to lose,they played superbly!

    From mohanan, on Sun 30 Dec 11:05

  5. all i say is 7-3

    From ftm, on Sat 29 Dec 23:44

  6. adebayor & defoe were garbage.looked like they­ did'nt want to be in there.dempsey made a great­ pass to adebayor & he missed an easy one again.sell­ this man!

    From jeff, on Sat 29 Dec 22:05

  7. I don' t understand why Adebayor got to play 90­ minutes.

    From Matti, on Sat 29 Dec 20:42

  8. Adebayor needs a goal, i have faith in the lad

    From me, on Sat 29 Dec 19:54

  9. Jonny we are still ahead of the #$%$ by two positions­ two points and a much better goal average FTM

    From RICHARD, on Sat 29 Dec 19:43

  10. We do need a couple of new signings in the new year.­ And the way we are playing it could be champions leage­ next year, Could AVB be the man to steer us their. Come­ on you Spurs !!!

    From robert, on Sat 29 Dec 16:56

  11. Spurs were unlucky, they should have had 5 against the­ diving cheating filth.

    From no-one-is-no-one, on Sat 29 Dec 15:27

  12. Spurs should have had 5 goals. A walk in the park.

    From no-one-is-no-one, on Sat 29 Dec 15:18

  13. what a diver what a diver, tom daly will be proud of­ Bale

    From K, on Sat 29 Dec 15:16

  14. Bale booked for diving. What a surprise.

    From El Coco, on Sat 29 Dec 15:15

  15. To those Spurs fans criticizing the referee for booking­ Bale for diving, don't forget that Bale has a­ reputation as a DIVER and unless he changes his ways he­ will always be regarded as one . He will probably NOT­ get the benefit of the doubt even if he was clearly­ fouled or tackled . The only way to rid the game of­ diving and cheating is to warn all divers and cheats­ when necessary . A yellow card for diving OUTSIDE the­ penalty area and a RED for diving INSIDE it !!

    From Tim13, on Sat 29 Dec 15:10

  16. COME ON YOU SPURS !!!!!

    From steve, on Sat 29 Dec 14:59

  17. Aaron Lennon was awesome today! Amazing pace, movement­ and finishing.

    From me, on Sat 29 Dec 14:59

  18. Good win for the Spurs. Keep it up boys.

    From Brian, on Sat 29 Dec 14:56

  19. The ref will cringe when he sees what a terrible­ mistake he made by booking Bale. When you employ such­ an incompetent official these sort of errors are going­ to happen.

    From Diogenes, on Sat 29 Dec 14:55

  20. In all fairness, Spurs should've won by 4 or 5.

    From cameron, on Sat 29 Dec 14:55
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