Tottenham’s League Record At Sunderland: Not The Best Of Away Days
By Logan Holmes
Steffen Iversen [Photo: Logan Holmes]Tottenham’s game at Sunderland this evening is another ‘must-win’ game for Spurs if they are to keep their season on track. It will be the 51st meeting between the two sides in the north-east and Spurs’ record in the Premier League era is not one to inspire.
Spurs’ win at the Stadium of Light in the final match of 2012 was their fourth win in the Premier League bringing their total of wins at Sunderland in the League to 14 and maintained a record of being undefeated in their last three visits.
Spurs League Record at Sunderland (inc. PL)
P 50 W 14 D 14 L 22 For 50 Ag 76
Record at Sunderland in PL
P 12 W 4 D 3 L 5 For 16 Ag 16
Last Season
Dec. 2012 Won 2 – 1 Lennon, Opp. o.g.
Spurs defeated Sunderland at the Stadium of Light with two goals early in the second half. The winning goal from Aaron Lennon followed quickly after an own goal had brought them level, having conceded just before the interval after dominating play and possession throughout the first half. It was another game which brought controversy over accusations of Gareth Bale diving. He was booked incorrectly when brought down in the area but Lennon’s goal maintained his record of Spurs having never lost when he was on the list of goalscorers.
Previous Matches
April, 2012 Draw 0 – 0
The scoreless draw was another nail in the coffin of Spurs’ aspirations of making it into Champions League at the end of the 2011-12 season. A performance which lacked imagination and the ability to break through a well organised Sunderland team intent on defending. The home side retreated into defence as soon as Tottenham had the ball and allowed Spurs to pass it back and forward across the pitch at will. This made for a very sterile match with little impetus and it was increasingly difficult for Spurs to make any forward movement.
Feb. 2011 Won 2 – 1 Dawson, Kranjcar
An injury hit Spurs recovered from going a goal down after 11 minutes to level through Dawson with a header from a corner just before half-time. Niko Kranjcar scored the winner after 58 minutes with and outstanding shot.
April, 2010 Lost 1 – 3 Crouch
Darren Bent had something to prove to Harry Redknapp and scored inside the first minute when Heurelho Gomes parried Fraizer Campbell’s diving header from a corner and Bent did the rest. On 29 minutes Bent added the second from the penalty spot. He could have added two more but Gomes denied him saving two penalties. Peter Crouch pulled a goal back after 72 minutes but Sunderland added a late third to ensure there was no Tottenham comeback.
March, 2009 Draw 1 – 1 Keane
Sunderland went ahead after 3 minutes but Robbie Keane salvaged a point with an 89th minute equaliser.
August, 2007 Lost 0 – 1
The opening day of the season, expectations were high but the Spurs team under Martin Jol never got started against newly promoted Sunderland and lost to a goal in the 90th minute.
Feb. 2006 Draw 1 – 1 Keane
Keane had put Spurs ahead 8 minutes before the interval and they looked to have the three points secure until an unexpected equaliser from the home side with a minute to play.
Better Days Out at Sunderland
April, 2001 Won 3 – 2 Clemence, Doherty (2)
Glenn Hoddle’s team found themselves two down after 12 minutes but a severe half-time talk and a few alterations by the manager brought a change in fortune. Stephen Clemence pulled a goal back after 52 minutes and Gary Doherty who was playing as a striker scored twice in the final 15 minutes for an unexpected victory.
March, 1997 Won 4 – 0 Iversen (3), Nielsen
It was Tottenham’s last game at Roker Park before Sunderland’s move to the Stadium of Light at the start of the following season. Steffen Iversen scored twice in the opening 9 minutes. Allan Nielsen added a third with less than half an hour played. In the second half, Iversen completed his hat-trick after 62 minutes. It came when a David Howells header was cleared off the line and the young Norwegian striker powered home from the edge of the area.