Sunderland vs. Tottenham Hotspur: Winners and Losers from Premier League Clash

Tottenham wasted the opportunity to move back into the Premier League's top four in a frustrating 2-2 draw against Sunderland. 

When Nacer Chadli scored after just two minutes, it seemed as though a morale-boosting victory was on the cards but Adam Johnson levelled for the hosts 60 seconds later. 

Christian Eriksen gave Spurs a similarly strong start to the second half with a finish from close range after a nicely worked move. 

A breathtaking piece of skill from Erik Lamela almost gave Spurs a 3-1 lead late in the second half before Harry Kane's own goal levelled the match at 2-2. 

The following slides reveal the winners and losers from the match at the Stadium of Light. 

Winner: Christian Eriksen

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Christian Eriksen has enjoyed a fine start to the season but against Sunderland he looked back to his brilliant best. Tottenham's standout player last season, Eriksen seemed to be finding his feet in the new system in their early games. 

Eriksen's graceful movement was joyful. He drove Spurs' attacks and dovetailed nicely with the returning Mousa Dembele. 

His shuffling dribbling style is deceptively quick and he removes opposition defenders from the game with ease. 

When he is in this sort of mood, Spurs are a different side. 

An artful chip to Emmanuel Adebayor almost produced a brilliant goal and he scored one of his own early in the second half. 

Time and again, Eriksen finds space with his passing that other players could not. He considers angle that others won't and he is the engine of Spurs' attack.

Withdrawn from the action at 2-1, Eriksen was forced to watch his side slip to a frustrating late draw.

Loser: Younes Kaboul

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Tottenham's captain Younes Kaboul continues to struggle. Against Sunderland, the French defender made puzzling decisions and looked decidedly unfit. 

His challenge deflected in Adam Johnson's opener and that may have affected his confidence. Kaboul is big and brash; he thrives on the front foot. He was hesitant in the air and unsure in the challenge following Sunderland's early equaliser. 

Kaboul had a golden chance to give Spurs the lead shortly after Johnson's goal. Unmarked at a corner, he fired his shot into the ground and over the Sunderland goal. 

Spurs' new signing, Federico Fazio, is yet to make his debut but Kaboul's time in the first team may be coming to an end. 

Winner: Danny Rose

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Danny Rose's resurgence continued against Sunderland. Heavily criticised last season, Rose looks a new man. Perhaps fittingly, he found his finest form against the Black Cats. The full-back enjoyed a successful loan spell at the Stadium of Light and his best was on show there once again. 

So comfortable in the role he is asked to play under Mauricio Pochettino, Rose provides penetration and width on the left while shielding Vlad Chiriches in defence. 

Rose appears to have finally reached full fitness once more after struggling last season. His athleticism is one of his major assets because it allows him to play the dual full-back role so well.

So much of a liability last season that Spurs spent £10 million on his replacement, Rose now seems to be an important member of their squad. 

Loser: Tottenham

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Tottenham twice took the lead against a limited Sunderland side but failed to hold on for the win. 

In the chase for the top four, a result like this will be remembered as two points dropped. 

In truth, Spurs could have had many more than their two goals, while the hosts were cowed for much of the 90 minutes. 

Mauricio Pochettino may rue the decision to remove Christian Eriksen, given that there was a late chance to win the match from a free-kick. 

If Tottenham can get back to winning form against West Brom, the stylistic progress shown against Sunderland may allow this match to be viewed in a different light. Spurs played cohesively and looked very threatening.

The equaliser seemed to stun Spurs' players and embolden Sunderland. They didn't win the match but could even have lost it in the dying minutes. 

Unfortunately, this is two points dropped in a match that Spurs must be winning. 

Winner: John O'Shea

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John O'Shea couldn't prevent Spurs scoring twice against his defence, but the former Manchester United man gave an impressive personal performance. 

The veteran defender demonstrated poise and power while being exposed by his less effective teammates. 

His demolition of Emmanuel Adebayor late in the second half was equally amusing and effective. 

If O'Shea's fellow defenders can reach his level, Sunderland will enjoy a fine season. 

Loser: Ricky Alvarez

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Sunderland seem to enjoy making odd signings. Last summer's cavalcade of no-names has been followed up by the perplexing acquisition of Inter Milan's Ricky Alvarez on a season-long loan. 

Alvarez made an anonymous debut for Sunderland against Spurs and was withdrawn after an hour. 

If the move to the Premier League was intended to kick-start his career, it looks to have stalled once more. 

The Argentinian made little impact against a ropey Tottenham defence.

Spurs were loose at the back and should have been exposed. 

The fact that Gus Poyet trusted him enough to start him does provide some optimism for his future but, based on this performance, he won't be in the starting lineup for long.