Sunderland vs Tottenham: Full Minute by Minute Match Report

Sunderland AFC vs Tottenham Hotspur

April 7, 2012: Stadium of Light, England.

Team Lineups:

Tottenham: Friedel; Walker, Gallas, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto; Parker, Modric, Sandro; Van der Vaart, Bale, Adebayor (Subs: Cudicini, Nelsen, Kranjcar, Lennon, Livermore, Defoe, Saha).

Sunderland: Mignolet, Bardsley, Colback, Kilgallon, Turner, Larsson, McClean, Cattermole, Gardner, Sessegnon, Bendtner (Subs: Bridge, Richardson, Vaughan, Dong-won, Meyler, Kyrgiakos, Westwood).

First Half:

0.00—1.00: Sunderland kick off. Early foul by Van der Vaart.

1.00—2.00: Tottenham begin to dictate the flow of the game, Modric, in particular, getting involved.

2.00—3.00: Tottenham move the ball around comfortably outside the Sunderland penalty area without crafting a clear shooting opportunity.

3.00—4.00: Sunderland in good shape defensively but loose possession too easily. Assou-Ekotto flashes a long range half volley wide.

4.00—5.00: Modric doing plenty of running to control the flow of the game.

5.00—6.00: Modric almost breaks into box after good work on the wing by Bale. Sunderland are unable to make up ground after regaining the ball.

6.00—7.00: Tottenham lose possession too easily, McClean then scuffing a shot from outside the area well wide. First chance for Sunderland.

7.00—8.00: McClean again breaks clear down the left wing but over hits a cross for Bendtner. Assou-Ekotto deals well under pressure in the opposite corner. Bardsley commits a hard foul on Bale.

8.00—9.00: Tottenham struggle to break into the opposition half but keep control of the ball nevertheless.

9.00—10.00: After regaining possession, Sunderland gift it straight back to Tottenham.

10.00—11.00: Modric hits a good low shot from the edge of the area, but a comfortable save for Mignolet.

11.00—12.00: Good build up play by Van der Vaart and Bale sees Tottenham win a throw in the corner but nothing comes of it. Sunderland fail to break.

12.00—13.00: Tottenham move possession back to the right wing, McClean fouling Walker. Van der Vaart drifts the free kick deep towards Adebayor at the far post who wastes a good chance with a weak header. The ball falls to Assou-Ekotto outside the area, but he screws a high volley wide.

13.00—14.00: Sunderland again unable to retain possession...

14.00—15.00: ...but look uncompromising in the middle of the park with Cattermole's hard tackling.

15.00—16.00: Sessegnon spreads the ball out to McClean on the left, whose optimistic shot is blocked by Gallas for a corner. Friedel almost fumbles the cross but recovers safely.

16.00—17.00: Tottenham look to slow down the game with Modric and Parker comfortably running things in the middle.

17.00—18.00: Sandro gets involved for the first time, playing a one-two with Walker on the right and winning a corner. Corner clears everyone, going out for a goal kick.

18.00—19.00: Parker loses possession but Sessegnon unable to capitalise. Tottenham look equally uncompromising in defence. Some tough tackling so far.

19.00—20.00: Optimistic appeals for a penalty after Sessegnon fails to control a cross from Larsson and goes down under a challenge from Kaboul, appeals mostly from crowd.

20.00—21.00: Walker over hits a cross field ball to Bale, but Bendtner gifts possession straight back to the opposition before fouling Parker.

21.00—22.00: Van der Vaart hits a good free kick to far post but Sunderland clear easily.

22.00—23.00: Parker plays a wonderful through ball to Adebayor, but the striker is slow to shoot and is well tackled by the tracking Turner.

23.00—24.00: Sunderland look for their first period of controlled possession, McClean then being fouled by Walker but replays show Foy's decision to be somewhat harsh.

24.00—25.00: Larsson hits a good cross toward Gardner, but a Tottenham player is first to react. The ensuing corner flicked over for another corner, which is again easily dealt with. Larsson unable to find an attacking head there.

25.00—26.00: Tottenham look to break with Walker and Van der Vaart down the right, the ball falling to Parker who hits a hard low shot on target which is deflected for a corner.

26.00—27.00: After the corner is cleared, Tottenham regroup and maintain possession with Modric and Parker again dictating the flow of the game.

27.00—28.00: After an Adebayor handball, Sunderland try and make their way back into the Tottenham half but are unsuccessful.

28.00—29.00: Running down the right, Walker is cleanly tackled by Colback, who is playing well out of position at left back. Sandro is then penalised for a foul on Sessegnon.

29.00—30.00: Sunderland struggle to break down a well organised Tottenham back line, Parker harrying Sessegnon, forcing him to concede possession.

30.00—31.00: Some aggressive tackles fly in in the middle of the field, the crowd coming alive for the first time in the game. Cattermole goes in hard on Sandro twice in ten seconds.

31.00—32.00: Van der Vaart under hits a corner. Sessegnon then almost breaks clear after poor control by Sandro, but is tackled by the retreating Brazilian. The crowd want a red card, nothing doing.

32.00—33.00: Loud shouts for handball on Parker, but the ball strikes him on the chest. Bendtner then has a shot from close range well blocked by Kaboul.

33.00—34.00: Gardner heads weakly at Friedel from a good position in the penalty area after a cross from Larsson.

34.00—35.00: Tottenham try to break quickly, the game flowing from end to end.

35.00—36.00: Sandro is fouled by Colback, the Brazilian atoning for his earlier error with some nice attacking play. Modric is then fouled by Bardsley, but Foy keeps his cards in his pocket for now.

36.00—37.00: Modric floats a free kick into the area, some head tennis is followed by a long clearance that floats all the way to Friedel in the opposite penalty area.

37.00—38.00: Foul on Sessegnon by Parker in the middle of the park. Sunderland take the free kick quickly but lose possession almost immediately.

38.00—39.00: Tottenham again try to slow the game down with Sandro, Parker and Modric forming a tight threesome across the middle.

39.00—40.00: Sunderland regain possession, McClean hitting a dangerous cross that just misses Sessegnon attacking around the penalty spot. Sunderland are starting to look dangerous. Assou-Ekotto fouls the impressive Sessegnon, this time on the right hand side.

40.00—41.00: Larsson's teasing free kick is met by Turner, whose goal bound header is deflected over for a corner.

41.00—42.00: Bendtner tries a Hernandez-esque backwards header straight from the cross, but the ball flies well over.

42.00—43.00: Fascinating contest brewing, neither team able to craft any clear chances, much to Tottenham's frustration. Assou-Ekotto under hits a cross from the left...

43.00—44.00: ...but the ball breaks fortuitously to Van der Vaart, who has a shot from just inside the area blocked by Kilgannon in what has been the best chance of the game so far. Sunderland try to break by Bendtner is offside.

44.00—45.00: Tottenham regroup and cleanly work the ball around in the middle.

45.00+1: Tottenham threaten on the outskirts of the Sunderland penalty area, Assou-Ekotto eventually breaking in but seeing a couple of attempted crosses blocked. Modric tries an acrobatic volley from outside the area but in unable to make good contact. The half ends with Tottenham in the ascendancy.

First Half Review: Tottenham have had the better of possession so far, but Sunderland are well worth their part in this game, Sessegnon and McClean looking the most dangerous on the counter. Adebayor has been ineffective up front, but Parker and Modric have controlled things nicely in front of Cattermole and Gardner in the middle. A good chance for Van der Vaart towards the end of the half but Mignolet untroubled, neither goalkeeper having to make a notable save so far. Entertaining stuff nonetheless.

Second Half:

45.00—46.00: Tottenham kick off and move the ball around at the back. Sunderland quickly regain the ball, McClean hitting a low cross towards Sessegnon, whose shot is blocked by Gallas. Good early second half chance for Sunderland.

46.00—47.00: Tottenham slow things down again. Moving the ball around comfortably but not troubling Sunderland.

47.00—48.00: Modric loses possession deep down the left hand side. Sunderland look to break but are unsuccessful.

48.00—49.00: Slow start to the half, Sunderland unable to see much of the ball. Parker and Sandro running things at the moment. Modric seemingly playing in a more attacking role this half.

49.00—50.00: Sandro again loses possession under pressure but Bendtner loses it quickly without support. Sunderland win a corner.

50.00—51.00: Nothing comes of it and Tottenham regroup. Sandro looking poor so far.

51.00—52.00: Tottenham put pressure on the Sunderland penalty area for the first time this half, Sandro seeing a well hit volley blocked by Gardner.

52.00—53.00: The match is beginning to heat up again, the crowd coming alive as some hard tackles fly in.

53.00—54.00: Larsson hits a poor Beckham-like cross field pass, gifting the ball straight back to Tottenham. Walker then looks to cut in from the right but Modric fails to play the one-two, instead moving the ball to Bale who has come across to the right wing.

54.00—55.00: Bale cuts a good pass back to Van der Vaart on the edge of the area, but the Dutchman smashes his shot over.

55.00—56.00: Larsson looks to break, moving the ball out to McClean on the left. The winger tries to cut inside and shoot but is too hesitant, losing possession to the harrying Parker and Modric.

56.00—57.00: Van der Vaart looks to chip a ball over the line of defence to Adebayor, but the striker is fractionally offside. End to end stuff at the moment.

57.00—58.00: Bale tries to run at Bardsley, but is well marshalled, the ball running harmlessly out for a goal kick. Sunderland are doing a good job keeping Bale out of the game.

58.00—59.00: Tottenham threaten again, Bale heading a good opportunity over from a cross by Assou-Ekotto. He was open for that one as the Sunderland defence start to look shaky.

59.00—60.00: Walker saves Tottenham as he clears a dangerous cross hit by McLean to the far post. Great defending from the Englishman.

60.00—61.00: Ensuing Sunderland corner comes to nothing.

6100—62.00: First yellow card of the match after a careless tackle by Sandro on Kilgannon. Studs up from the Brazilian. No need to fly in like that as Tottenham were in no real danger.

62.00—63.00: Sessegnon almost squeezes a through ball to Bendtner, but Gallas blocks the pass well.

63.00—64.00: McClean breaks down the left as the crowd roars with excitement, but is well tackled by Walker. Both teams trade possession too easily, Van der Vaart eventually taking his turn at losing the ball needlessly. Dissapointing from Sunderland who need to improve on the counter attack if they have any chance of winning this one.

64.00—65.00: Aaron Lennon replaces Sandro. Van der Vaart will surely push inside.

65.00—66.00: Lennon's first contribution is to cross a tempting ball into the area, but no Tottenham head is there to meet it.

66.00—67.00: Adebayor seems frustrated by his inability to have any effect on the game, running around desperately in an attempt to regain possession for his team.

67.00—68.00: Frosty handshake between Van der Vaart and Bardsley after a collision. One senses Sandro will not be the only one with his name in the book at the final whistle.

68.00—69.00: Tottenham start to move the ball around well again with Sunderland beginning to look tired.

69.00—70.00: The game has slowed down again as Sunderland take their turn to attack the Tottenham back line...

70.00—71.00: ...but Bardsley over hits a cross to McClean at the far post.

71.00—72.00: Cattermole goes down hurt in the middle of the pitch. He doesn't look alright to continue here.

72.00—73.00: Colback deals with Walker well again on the right, but Lennon then gets the better of him, shifting a ball through to Van der Vaart...

73.00—74.00: ...who scuffs what looked like a clear one-on-one opportunity into the defending Turner. He was unable to keep his balance there, otherwise that would have been a certain goal. Best chance of the match.

74.00—75.00: Sunderand are less successful at crafting a clear chance at the other end, McClean beginning to show signs of frustration.

75.00—76.00: But the Black Cats continue to threaten, McLean seeing a cross blocked for a corner. The injured Cattermole is eventually replaced by David Vaughan.

76.00—77.00: Larsson's corner is poor, but Sunderland quickly regain possession, the crowd growing in noise. Sessegnon's attempted through ball to Bendtner is cleared by Gallas.

77.00—78.00: The ineffectual Adebayor is replaced by Saha as Larsson heads straight at Friedel from a difficult position. Good cross by McLean though.

78.00—79.00: Body check by Gardner on Modric, he was lucky not be carded there. Van der Vaart then hits a poor free kick towards Kaboul.

79.00—80.00: Kaboul recovers and plays a good ball back to Bale on the edge of the area, but the Welshman scuffs his shot wide. Bardsley is replaced by Kieran Richardson, an attacking move from O'Neill. Perhaps Sunderland's manager senses his team could win it late here.

80.00—81.00: More tough defending from Sunderland as Modric struggles to penetrate the back line.

81.00—82.00: Sunderland's turn to move the ball around, but Kilgannon quickly loses it.

82.00—83.00: Tottenham fare little better in possession, the game dipping in quality late here. Van der Vaart is replaced by Defoe—an attacking move—this time, by Tottenham's manager.

83.00—84.00: McClean almost breaks but is steered into the corner by Walker, who eventually fouls the robust winger. Larsson stands threateningly over this one...

84.00—85.00: ...the cross heads towards the far post but is hooked away by Kaboul, who may have just saved a goal there as the cross looked to be heading in.

85.00—86.00: Bendtner heads wide from the corner. The crowd appeals for another one, but to no avail. Tottenham are then poor in possession.

86.00—87.00: But Lennon recovers it and cuts in from the right, his pass to Defoe eventually going astray. Sunderland break as Larsson is seemingly fouled on the edge of the area by Kaboul, but is booked for diving by Foy. The crowd protest.

87.00—88.00: Sunderland recover the ball again, as Sessegnon is fouled on the break by Assou-Ekotto, who had lost the ball originally. The defender is also booked. Sunderland are having the best of these late exchanges.

88.00—89.00: Sunderland take their time with the free kick as Larsson stands over it...

89.00—90.00: ...Gallas clears but McClean immediately wins the ball back. Colback then loses it in a very dangerous position but Gardner puts in the tackle of the game on the breaking Bale. Poor from young Colback but terrific from Gardner. Bale looks hurt as Foy stops the game.

90.00—90.00+1: Long stoppage as Bale receives treatment.

90.00+1—90.00+2: Debate here as Foy looks to restart with a drop ball. Sunderland were in possession when the game was stopped. Tottenham give it back to Mignolet. to boos from the crowd.

90.00+2—90.00+3: Three minutes to be added on but more will surely come. Tottenham put late pressure  on Sunderland as Vaughan goes into the book for a very poor tackle. Tottenham win a corner. Last chance?

90.00+3—90.00+4: Modric's corner is easily cleared as Sunderland look to settle for the draw. Newcastle, Chelsea and Arsenal fans will be satisfied, Redknapp with little to complain about too. The final whistle blows.

Second Half Review: More of the same from both clubs as Van der Vaart wasted the only clear chance of the half. Tottenham had the better of possession as Sunderland began to tire late on, but without an effective striker up front, Spurs rarely looked dangerous.

Player of the Game: Younès Kaboul