Sunderland and Tottenham today played out a 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light with a resolute performance from the home side frustrating the visitors.
Martin O'Neill's organised Black Cats looked they would be happy to play for a draw from the outset as Spurs stuttered their way up into third position with North London rivals Arsenal still to play tomorrow.
It was a match which provided very few out-and-out goalscoring opportunities with Sunderland probably having the best of the chances but they were unable to nick maximum points.
Stephane Sessegnon was close to opening the scoring early in the second half when his low drive struck the legs of Spurs centre-half William Gallas before Kyle Walker intervened to deny a simple James McClean tap-in at the back post with a timely clearance.
Harry Redknapp's Tottenham were not their usual selves in attack, mainly due to the solid defensive showing of Sunderland, whose goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was required to make just one save allowing his side to remain ninth on the table.
TRIBAL ASKS: Did Sunderland show too much respect Tottenham today? Surely given the form their attackers are in, should they have put more effort in trying to score rather than concentrating on holding Spurs' forwards at bay?
Sunderland: 0 Tottenham: 0
Stadium of Light, Sunderland - 39,335
Yellow cards:SUN - Sebastian Larsson 87', David Vaughan 90+3' TOT - Sandro 62', Benoit Assou-Ekotto 89'
