2025 was largely a year to forget in terms of home performances. This was better to start 2026, particularly in the first half, but a light display in attack has cost us again. The combination of pressing high from the beginning of the game and taking some chances with shots on goal produced a good amount of pressure on Sunderland in the first half. The second half was more typical of recent performances. We allowed a predictable equalizer and so had to settle for a point.
GK Guglielmo Vicario
Was not overly tested for most of the game before the Sunderland equalizer, which he had little chance with. Did look uncomfortable with some crosses and on one occasion in the second half had to be saved by Ben Davies. Rating: 6
RB Pedro Porro
Started the game with intent and looked a lot more like his form from last season. Early on he tried a long-range chip after winning the ball high up the pitch. It did not go in but this is the kind of thing we want to see from the team as a whole, some unpredictability and some different kinds of attack. Followed that up by playing in a great ball in for Richarlison. Defended well one-on-one against Simon Adingra throughout. Could have had an assist for Randal Kolo Muani in the second half after a great break and pass. Rating: 8
LB Ben Davies
A left back scoring from a corner having been assisted by two center backs might be the perfect way to sum up Spurs attack under Thomas Frank. An unexpected start for Davies and a much-needed opening goal. Davies rarely lets Spurs down and performed well again. Good distribution going forward and comfortable defensively. Critical goal line clearance early in the second half. Rating: 8
CB Christian Romero
Had an important contribution to our goal from a corner. Looked very much in control in the first half, including winning the ball high up the pitch to keep the pressure on. Less so towards the end as Sunderland grew into the game, but this seems more to do with the fading of the midfield control rather than with our center backs. Rating: 7
CB Micky van de Ven
Like Romero in terms of goal involvement, a strong first half, and less so in the second half. Again, not helped in the second half by the midfield. Micky also was a threat in the air from corners on occasion, which we hope to see more of. Rating: 7
CM Rodrigo Bentancur
Looked to be continuing his steady improvement in recent weeks with his best performance for a while in the first half. Moved the ball quickly and broke up any rare Sunderland attacks. Faded towards the end of the second half and could not get on top of the game once Sunderland pressed more. Rating: 6
CM Archie Gray
Back in a more withdrawn role after the move further forward at Brentford. Started with intent, like the rest of the team, then struggled to get on Granit Xhaka in the second half before being substituted. Gray is not really displaying consistent ability to move the ball forward to cement a place in midfield at the moment. Could really do with Frank finding a consistent position for him. Rating: 5
LW Mathys Tel
Aside from a decent effort in the first half that curled just wide, Tel could not get involved in attacks enough. Like Gray, he has been played up front, through the middle, and on both wings and does not seem settled at all. There is talent but we are not seeing strong enough performances, particularly when we are on the back foot. Rating: 4
RW Mohammed Kudus
Was part of the good early pressing and controlled the ball well on the few occasions he had it. Had to go off injured early on. Still showed a tendency to slow the game down by looking backwards for passes, which has happened more recently. Rating: N/A
AM Wilson Odobert
Played in a new position through the middle as Thomas Frank still seems to be trying something new each week. Initially found himself drifting wide and ending up in space occupied by Kudus or Tel. Pressed well early on and got in some good spaces, but in his central position the game needs to go through him. Instead, it seemed to happen around him. Better in the second half but still looked more at ease when he was attacking from wide positions. Rating: 4
CF Richarlison
Richarlison looked much more involved than in our game at Brentford and had better support. Good runs at the start of the second half were only stopped by two bookable fouls. Mostly held up play well but seemed to want too much time on the ball. Had a perfect opportunity to play in Muani in the second half for a tap-in but waited too long. Better from Richarlison but still not able to trouble the Sunderland back line enough. Rating: 6
Substitutes: Randal Kolo Muani, João Palhinha, Lucas Bergvall, Dane Scarlett, Djed Spence
Muani got very involved both in attacking and winning the ball back. Often looked like he was close to creating something, but unfortunately a final ball or attempted run did not work out as needed. An example being in the second half when he broke with Porro, got into a great position, but then failed to control the pass for a clear chance at goal. Bergvall and Palhinha seemed like the correct subs at the point in the game they came on but it did not go as intended. Plenty of effort from Bergvall, and Palhinha was unlucky with a late chance with a header, but neither were able to re-establish the control of the game we so badly needed in midfield. Spence and Scarlett came on very late as the game became scrappier and so were unable to make much of an impact.
Ratings: Muani (5), Palhinha (4), Bergvall (4), Scarlett (N/A), Spence (N/A)