While it would be stretching it to suggest that Harry Redknapp’s wife would have the composure to thrash a penalty past Heurelho Gomes, Darren Bent regressed to the confidence-shorn player he once was here as he squandered the chance from 12 yards to alter the outcome of the game.
The script that dictates ex-players usually torment their former employers was inverted here. It was a miserable return for Bent, who was taunted by the Tottenham fans who said that they would rather have Sandra up front, a reference to Redknapp’s infamous remark that his better half could have converted an opportunity Bent blew against Portsmouth here last season.
There was much to mull over on the long trip north, not least the frustration for Sunderland that they were the more incisive team for much of the game, until a thunderbolt from Tom Huddlestone with just over 20 minutes to play made the scoreline so comfortable for Spurs they could almost bask in it. With Manchester City held at home, Tottenham climbed back into a Champions League position, their spirits revived after a couple of bruising defeats to Arsenal and Stoke City.
The need to recover some form led to Redknapp fielding an attack-minded line-up, with Robbie Keane tucked in as the head of a midfield diamond behind Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch. Even though Redknapp admitted it did not sparkle, his choice was rewarded in the 11th minute as Keane ghosted on to Crouch’s knockdown to tap in the opener. Steve Bruce complained to the man with the flag for ruling Keane onside, but later conceded it was “close”.
That knocked the stuffing out of Sunderland but only briefly. They caused Spurs some discomfort with a high-tempo, high-pressing approach, and the combination of off-key finishing with a constructive display from Gomes cost them. “Since the beach ball incident we’ve had no luck in front of goal,” Bruce said. “We are totally disappointed having taken the game to Spurs.” He also questioned whether they should have had another penalty in the first half, when Gomes injured his shoulder in the process of diving at Bent’s feet.
That incident signalled a difficult spell for the Brazilian keeper leading up to half-time. Andy Reid tested the Tottenham goal instantly with an audacious big dipper of a volley strike from 30 yards. With Gomes well beaten, the ball bounced off the bar.
Sunderland could not have been given a better chance to redress the damage when Kevin Friend awarded them a generous penalty five minutes into the second half. Gomes rushed to meet Bent for a one v one just inside the area, and the striker Tottenham so dismissively discarded took off to dive over the keeper, only just catching him with a sliver of boot leather when he was well on the way down.
“When someone is coming at you, you try to get out of the road,” said Bruce by way of mitigation. “And for me the goalkeeper denied him a clear opportunity so he could have been sent off.”
Bent’s effort was too central, and Gomes was able to smother it away safely. For the home fans it felt like justice served. “That’s why we sold you,” they teased.
Another collision in the area left a goalkeeper stricken. This time it was Craig Gordon, who was caught by Defoe and looked dazed before he was substituted, as Tottenham looked to turn the screw. Huddlestone took advantage, and stand-in keeper Martin Fulop would have been brave to have put his body in line of that shot even if he could have got near it.
Premier LeagueTottenham HotspurSunderlandAmy Lawrenceguardian.co.uk
