HIGH AND WIDE! That might do it! Dier latches onto an Eriksen corner at the near post but can't hit the target with his header, and that might be it!
FULL-TIME: SUNDERLAND 0-0 TOTTENHAM.
90'
There will be just two minutes added on at the end of this second half! Pochettino isn't happy, but this crowd is. There really hasn't been many stoppages, so it seems a fair decision.
89'
WILDLY OVER! That will delight every Sunderland player, coach and supporter within a 100-mile radius. Concentrated pressure from Spurs is relieved in an instant as a hopelessly ambitious strike from Davies sails over from a distance.
87'
Sunderland in no rush whatsoever to take a throw near the halfway line. Manquillo tries to send it deep, but he can only find a Spurs head. After a bit of pinball, it goes out for yet another Sunderland throw. No desire to find a winner here for the hosts, they're doing everything they can to see out this point.
85'
V. Janssen enters the game and replaces M. Dembélé.
Tottenham's final chance sees striker Vincent Janssen, who had a big day for himself in Saturday's FA Cup win over Wycombe, replace Dembele.
83'
Sissoko is really hearing it every time he touches the ball. His Newcastle ties have made him an unpopular figure at the Stadium of Light, and it seems to be having an effect on him, as he struggles to make much of anything happen out on the right.
81'
These Black Cats have the full backing of their supporters as they aim to dig deep and see this result through. Every stray Spurs pass, defensive header and Mannone catch is being cheered with zest and vigor.
79'
Sunderland continue to read Spurs' moves in advance and cut them out smartly. They're picking out some decent balls forward, too, but Honeyman has been very poor in his attempts to hold it up. He's given possession away far too cheaply, and quickly, for Sunderland's liking.
77'
Time is ticking down here at the Stadium of Light and frustration is really setting in for Spurs, who have not found a way through. Offsides and fouls are making for a stop-and-go tempo, which is doing little to help their cause.
75'
STAT: Tottenham have won their last four league games against Sunderland. The last time they won five successively against the Black Cats was in March 2002.
Minute
Description
73'
M. Sissoko enters the game and replaces Son Heung-Min.
Spurs respond with a change of their own. A chorus of boos greet ex-Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko, as he replaces Son.
72'
G. Honeyman enters the game and replaces F. Borini.
Sunderland make their first change of the night and it's Borini, who squandered a couple of real good looks, giving way for George Honeyman. It's a home debut for the substitute.
70'
SAFE HANDS! Kane flashes a delivery across the face of goal now, but Mannone is proactive in dealing with it, diving out at his near post to block it from running through! Pressure stays on and Alli sees a shot deflect over the bar by Jones for a corner.
68'
This is a better spell from the hosts, who have managed to provide their back-line with a bit of respite. Some untidy, yet effective, play in attack leads to a chance, but Borini's cross goes begging at the far post and out for a throw.
66'
It might be time for a change for David Moyes and Sunderland. There are some tired legs creeping into midfield and it's prevented them from transitioning into attack, which has subsequently resulted in a continuous build of pressure on their defence.
65'
Javier Manquillo gets yellow.
Manquillo can't steal the ball from Wanyama out wide, thus resorts to tripping him up to prevent a break - it's a clear yellow for the left-back.
64'
SHOCKING MISS! Bad defending from Sunderland as they struggle to see the ball clear following a pair of Spurs corners. Too much ball-watching, and it leads to a free header for Wanyama at the far post, but he misses the target!
62'
STAT: Spurs have had 73 shots on target more than their opponents this season (137 v 64); the biggest positive difference.
60'
The slick surface has provided issues for more than a few tonight, including Eriksen, who slips up at the vital moment to bring an end to a threatening attack. It's just not working for Spurs at the moment, though. They're not looking capable of breaking down this Sunderland defence at the moment.
58'
Concentrated pressure on the Sunderland goal has been relieved, as Sunderland break up the pitch on a dangerous looking break, but a foul prevents Rodwell from picking out the desired ball out to the left. The Black Cats need to get back to pressing high up and making life uncomfortable on the hosts.
56'
MANNONE COLLECTS! Plenty of pace and power behind this free-kick from Eriksen, which he drives in low and around the wall, towards the near post. It bounces awkwardly off the slick surface, but Mannone does an expert job of staying with it and not just making the save, but holding on.
54'
Great work from Rodwell to close down on Kane in the area and force his shot behind, after the ball fell kindly to him following a Spurs corner. The visitors continue to grow in stature, however, as they tighten their grip on the match.
52'
STAT: Of the current top six, Spurs have collected the fewest points away from home (17/33).
50'
It's settled down just as quickly as it started up, with Spurs moving towards a more patient approach in possession. Sunderland need to keep their focus and organisation off the ball and the rest should fall into place for them. Spurs need more ingenuity in possession.
48'
Another lively start to the half, as both teams exchange attacks, though it's Spurs who look the more threatening, at least in these early stages. They likely received a stern talking to from Pochettino at the break and will set their sights on an improved showing over these final 45 minutes.
46'
Back underway at the Stadium of Light!
45' +2
HALF-TIME: SUNDERLAND 0-0 TOTTENHAM.
45'
Play resumes as Larsson and Walker are both up and able to continue, but wait on the touchline for their cue to return. Meanwhile, Defoe assumes set-piece duties, but his delivery runs straight through to Vorm.
43'
Wonderful work from Ndong on the right as he skips by two defenders, but his final ball into the box is too high for anyone to get their head to. Pressure stays on, however, and Walker concedes a free-kick with a foul on Larsson, just under 30 yards out. Larsson and Walker both need treatment here following the clash of heads.
41'
STAT: Jermain Defoe scored 91 goals in 276 Premier League appearances for Tottenham Hotspur, but has only scored one goal in nine PL games against them (for Portsmouth in September 2008).
39'
LISTEN TO THEM ROAR! A bit of belief inside the Stadium of Light as the pressure stays on! Jones gets a friendly ricochet off a Davies clearance to allow him through on the right, and his early ball in for Defoe sets the striker up in a decent position, as he manages to win a corner.
38'
B. Davies enters the game and replaces D. Rose.
Ben Davies enters the fray to replace the injured Rose.
37'
Billy Jones wins Sunderland a free-kick in a dangerous position on the right, but they will have to wait to take it as Rose goes down injured and immediately signals to the bench for a change. He can't put much, if any, weight on his left leg.
35'
The atmosphere inside the stadium is really gathering momentum in what has been a highly entertaining first half. Sunderland remain very much in the ascendency over the last few minutes, keeping Spurs hemmed in at the back, cheaply giving possession away as they try and break out of their end.
33'
J. Rodwell gets yellow.
Professional foul from Rodwell, but a very cynical one at that as he had no real chance to win the ball as he slid in to take out Dembele, otherwise the break was on for Spurs.
31'
Son remains very lively for Spurs in possession, but Kane has not been involved enough. The striker has dropped deep on occasion and done well to spray the ball out wide, but his presence inside the Sunderland area hasn't been anything to really worry the Black Cats.
29'
Dembele concedes a free-kick inside his own half, which Larsson delivers admirably to Kone on the opposite flank, just outside the area. The centre-half heads towards his defence partner, but O'Shea is unable to pick out a decent touch into the danger area.
27'
STAT: Harry Kane has scored at 19 different stadiums in the Premier League, but he’s never scored a goal at the Stadium of Light in the competition (two apps, 101 mins).
25'
CRACKING HIT! Wanyama, a bit of a stranger in the goals department, drives an effort at goal from just over 20 yards, and forces Mannone into a diving stop to keep it out! Back and forth these sides go now, in search of a breakthrough.
23'
STRAIGHT AT VORM! Dier's header out from the back is dreadful, gifting the ball to Borini. The striker appears to be fouled atop the area by Son, but the ball winds up breaking magnificently for him, as he gets a clean sight at goal from 15 yards, but smacks his effort straight at the keeper! Oh my what a chance that was!
21'
Defoe does really well to win the ball high up the pitch and turn to fend off Alderweireld, before setting up Borini brilliantly inside the area, but the striker's first touch in incredibly poor and just like that the chance is gone.
19'
It's getting a bit congested in midfield, as the rain continues to come down here at the Stadium of Light - as it more often than not does. The crowd is getting a bit quiet, with the bulk of the noise provided by the traveling supporters. Sunderland need these fans behind them.
17'
Walker, Son and Eriksen work it around cleverly on the right flank, before the right-back tries a one-two with Alli, that ends up being cut out smartly by Denayer. The Sunderland midfielder has positioned himself excellently in defence thus far, providing great support for the back-line.
15'
Sunderland's high press is causing Spurs a few problems, as well. They're moving well off the ball, shifting as they get higher up the pitch, and it's put the likes of Alderweireld and Dier under some real pressure here.
13'
Spurs continue to boss possession, but they're finding it tricky to navigate through the mess of red and white shirts in defence. When Sunderland do win it back, Defoe is proving a strong target up top. Every time a ball is played towards him over the top, the crowd responds with an anticipatory cheer.
11'
STAT: Sunderland are winless in their last 13 Premier League games against Tottenham (D3 L10). The only current Premier League side they are experiencing a worse run against are Arsenal (14).
9'
DEFLECTED BEHIND! Spurs give possession away cheaply in the final third and it allows Sunderland to break quickly, via a route-one ball over the top for Defoe. The striker admirably takes on a pair of Spurs defenders as he finds space for a shot, but it drifts wide of the far post off the block of Alderweireld.
7'
NEARLY A DISASTER! Denayer smacks a clearance attempt straight off Kane, who's afforded clear passage into the area. He looks for the support of Son in the centre, but his low cross is cut out smartly by Kone, who turns it behind for a corner. The resulting set-piece comes to nothing.
5'
Sunderland have got their footing, as they do a much better job now of pressing high up and making it difficult for Spurs to advance up the pitch. Possession remains sporadic at best for the hosts, but they have bodies behind the ball now as they aim to frustrate Spurs in attack.
3'
There's an excellent tempo to the match in the early stages, with Spurs especially keen to push the pace. They've adopted a rather direct approach right from the off, eager to get after this Sunderland defence which has proven rather prone to errors.
1'
AND THEY'RE OFF! Sunderland in red and white, attacking left to right, with Spurs in their gold away strip.
With Liverpool and Chelsea squaring off tonight in Merseyside, opportunity knocks for Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham to gain ground on two of their closest title challengers with what they will hope are a straightforward three points against their reeling opponents.
Hello and welcome to live coverage from the Stadium of Light as Sunderland aim to climb out of the Premier League cellar when they host a Tottenham side aiming to close the gap on leaders Chelsea.
Spurs will be wary, however, considering the scare they received from League Two opponents Wycombe Wanderers on the weekend. There’s a lesson in there for Tottenham about respecting your opponents, and a timely one at that as they come up against the PL bottom-feeders.
Sunderland have astonishingly and quite inexplicably staved off relegation time and time again in recent years with their backs against the wall. Well, they’re up against it yet again this season and one has to wonder if the Black Cats have used up all of their nine lives.
David Moyes has gone to a familiar place in an attempt to fortify his squad and stave off relegation, bringing in the likes of Bryan Oviedo and Darron Gibson from his former side Everton – though neither arrived in time to be of service tonight.
David Moyes makes four changes from the defeat to West Brom. Lamin Kone and Didier Ndong are thrust right back into the fold following their return from the Africa Cup of Nations. replacing Papy Djilobodji and Adnan Januzaj. Recently departed Patrick van Aanholt is replaced by Javier Manquillo, while Fabio Borini comes in for George Honeyman, who drops to the bench.
Mauricio Pochettino makes two changes from the draw with Manchester City 10 days ago. Hugo Lloris did not travel with the team and misses out through illness, with Michel Vorm taking his place in goal, while Saturday's FA Cup hero Heung-Min Son comes in for Kevin Wimmer, as Spurs revert to a four-man back-line.
Cheers throughout the Stadium of Light as a terrific end to the first half from Sunderland has provided reason for optimism. No breakthrough for either side, but the Black Cats will be the happier of the two teams after 45 minutes, as they've carved out the better chances and ended the half on a high.
Well it wasn't meant to be for Tottenham in the end, as an altogether frustrating night in attack culminates in an opportunity lost - especially with Arsenal losing and one of Liverpool or Chelsea guaranteed to drop points.
For Sunderland it's really no less than they deserved. Their attacking spells were limited, but it was a spirited performance from the Black Cats in defence, as they largely kept Spurs at bay to preserve the clean sheet. Plenty of positives for David Moyes to draw upon as they move out of the bottom, at least temporarily, with Hull to play tomorrow at Old Trafford.
That's all for our live coverage, thanks for following along. Goodbye!
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