Tottenham finally opened their winning account for the new Premier League season on Sunday.
Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs had gone four matches without saluting prior to their trip to the Stadium of Light where they managed to edge the Black Cats 1-0.
In a tense affair on Wearside, Ryan Mason broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute when racing onto a lovely through ball from Erik Lamela before drinking over an onrushing Costel Pantilimon.
Sunderland were at least good value for a draw but were denied on a number of occasions by Hugo Lloris, as well as twice by the woodwork from Jermain Defoe halfway through the opening 45 minutes, and Jack Rodwell late.
The victory saw Spurs move up to 12th as Dick Advocaat's much-improved Black Cats edged off bottom spot to 19th by virtue of goal difference to Tyne-Wear rivals Newcastle United.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Sunderland: 0
Tottenham: 1 (Ryan Mason 82')
Stadium of Light, Sunderland - 40,303
TALKING POINTS
- Can Advocaat influence Sunderland to string some positive results together as he did at the end of last season?
- Is this the win that can be the catalyst for a strong season for Tottenham? Or do they lack overall quality?
WHAT'S NEXT?
Sunderland head to Bournemouth on Saturday in search of their first win as Spurs get set for their opening Europa League clash with Qarabag prior to a London derby with Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Get in there! Great hard fought win today! Top little finish by @RyanMason We go again Thursday night! #COYS
— Harry Kane (@hkane28) September 13, 2015Happy to see you again my friend and get our first win, thanks for your shirt
#COYSpic.twitter.com/2iC2l6taWO
— Erik Manuel Lamela (@Coco_Lamela) September 14, 2015Lots of positives to take out of this game! (Surely not this tackle! I'm ok tho! ) unfortunate on… https://t.co/W6dA6pWlJw
— Fabio Borini (@borinifabio29) September 13, 2015
QUOTES CORNER
Tottenham's Pochettino on his side's first win:
"We are happy with our first victory in the Premier League. It was important for the players to give them confidence because it's never easy when you play well and you deserve to win - like in the last few games - and you don't get the victory, it's never easy to work."
Sunderland's Advocaat on his team's improvement:
"It's a disappointing result, but not disappointing the way we played. You could see a big difference in the approach to the game of our team."
TEAM LEADERS
SUNDERLAND
Goals - Jermain Defoe 2
Assists - Jeremain Lens 2
Yellow cards - Billy Jones, Sebastian Coates, Jeremain Lens 2
TOTTENHAM
Goals - Four players on 1
Assists - Four players on 1
Clean sheets - Hugo Lloris 2
Yellow cards - Eric Dier 3
