Spurs 4 Sunderland 1: Afternoon to forget for Jan Kirchhoff but who scooped man of the match?

A second half collapse cost Sunderland dear at White Hart Lane.
Jordan Pickford makes a save for SunderlandJordan Pickford makes a save for Sunderland
Jordan Pickford makes a save for Sunderland

The game with Tottenham Hotspur was evenly poised at half-time at 1-1 but the Black Cats fell apart after the break.

Richard Mennear gives his player ratings here:

Sunderland (4-2-3-1):

Jordan Pickford: MOM. 8. Premier League debut for Jordan Pickford and he impressed again. Made a number of brilliant saves and could do little about the goals. Distribution like a heat-seeking missile.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Billy Jones: 5. Had a really busy afternoon trying to keep tabs on Lamela and Eriksen, defended well first half. Second half it all went to pieces.

Wes Brown: 5. In the side again, with Coates and Kirchhoff on the bench. The defence had to soak up a lot of pressure but they folded after the break.

John O'Shea (C): 5. Enjoyed a good battle with Harry Kane, coped with the England striker well in the opening stages but striker had last laugh. Spurs bossed Sunderland second half.

Patrick van Aanholt: 7. Scored a great goal at the near post after a good run to get on the end of Johnson pass. Pace is a big assett. Much improved recently.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lee Cattermole: 5. Couldn't get his feet working quickly enough to prevent Eriksen shot going in. Booked early in second half and subbed.

Yann M'Vila: 6. More like his old self. Kept play ticking over in the middle, keeping it nice and simple. Improved passing too from the Swansea City game.

Danny Graham: 5. Picked over Fabio Borini, didn't see much of the ball in the opening 45 minutes. Tracked back, fell apart after he was subbed!

Adam Johnson: 6. Sublime assist for van Aanholt's goal. Perfectly weighted. Kept plugging away while the defence folded behind him.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jeremain Lens: 5. Struggled to have the same impact as at Swansea, link-up play with Defoe didn't click. Crossing poor on occasions too.

Jermain Defoe: 5. Looked a frustrated figure leading the line. Had little service and had to be patient. A frustrating afternoon for him on return to former club.

Subs:

Jack Rodwell (for Cattermole, 53): 5. Poor when he came on, didn't impact the game.

Jan Kirchhoff (for Graham, 59): 2. An awful debut by the German. Swung a lazy leg at Eriksen's third goal, turned his back too. Conceded a penalty, generally very poor.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Duncan Watmore (for Lens, 76): 5. Pushed on up front alongside Jermain Defoe. Game was gone by then though.

Subs Not Used: Mannone, Borini, Coates, Fletcher.

Bookings: Cattermole (46, foul), Johnson (55, foul)

Goals: Van Aanholt (40)

Spurs (4-2-3-1):

Hugo Lloris (C): 6

Danny Rose: 7

Toby Alderweireld: 7

Jan Vertonghen: 7

Kieran Trippier: 7

Eric Dier: 7

Mousa Dembele: 7

Dele Alli: 7

Christian Eriksen: 8

Erik Lamela: 7

Harry Kane: 8

Subs:

Josh Onomah (for Lamela, 73): 6

Tom Carroll (for Dembele, 80): 6

Son Heung-min (for Kane, 88): 6

Subs Not Used: Vorm, Chadli, Wimmer, Davies.

Bookings: None

Goals: Eriksen (42, 67), Dembele (59), Kane (79)

Attendance: 35,854

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral) Didn't do much wrong, although the Johnson booking was a bit harsh. 7/10