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Mighty Quinn sends Spurs crashing

Two superb first half goals from Sunderland striker Niall Quinn gave the Wearsiders victory over George Graham's Tottenham to move Peter Reid's side up to joint second place in the Premiership.

Spurs looked jaded after their midweek involvement in the Uefa Cup and Reid's men made them pay through two splendid goals from Quinn.

The Republic of Ireland international grabbed his first goals of the season at home in the 10th and 21st minute.

The first was a fantastic volley from a Michael Gray cross, the second a cultured strike from just inside the penalty area.

Tottenham came to life in the second half but even an Steffen Iversen reply in the 63rd minute could not ruin Sunderland's day.

The one note of concern for Reid will concern the fitness of Quinn's strike partner, in-form England man Kevin Phillips, who was carried off the field after heavy collisions with Ian Walker and Sol Campbell.

Norwegian misses

Spurs, on their first visit to the Stadium of Light, began the brighter and Iversen could have had two goals within the first six minutes.

First David Ginola - booed by the home fans throughout for his Newcastle connections - sent Iversen through only for the Norwegian to shoot straight at Sunderland keeper Thomas Sorensen.

And two minutes later Steve Carr played him in, but the striker was again denied by Sorensen.

The early scares sparked Sunderland into life and they opened the scoring when England defender Campbell, who looked curiously unsteady at the back, misjudged Gray's cross. Quinn took the ball on his chest and hit a right-foot half-volley into the top corner.

Twelve minutes later the veteran frontman had claimed his fifth goal of the season in similar fashion, as he again used his chest to control the ball before volleying past a helpless Walker.

Phillips had a chance to make it three before the break, but Walker saved well.

Vega more precise

Injury-hit Spurs shuffled the pack for the second half and defender Ramon Vega was pushed up front alongside Iversen.

And it paid off when Oyvind Leonhardsen put Vega clear on the right and the Swiss international delivered the perfect cross for Iversen, who finished from close range.

The goal gave Spurs renewed hope and set up an exciting finish.

The visitors had chance to snatch an unlikely draw, but Vega just failed to connect with Carr's cross at the far post and Campbell blazed over the bar after good work from substitute Tim Sherwood.

Teams:

Sunderland: Sorensen, Makin, Bould, Butler, Gray, Summerbee, Roy, McCann, Schwarz, Quinn, Phillips. Subs: Marriott, Dichio, Ball, Rae, Williams.

Tottenham: Walker, Carr, Campbell, Vega, Taricco, Piercy, Freund, Leonhardsen, Clemence, Ginola, Iversen. Subs: Baardsen, Perry, Sherwood, Fox, Dominguez.

Referee: M Riley (Leeds)

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In this section

White Rose rivals meet again
Derby double swoop fails
Spurs stifle depleted Gunners
Dons destroy Leeds hopes
Campbell punishes Newcastle
Goalless as east meets west
Cole double sinks Leicester
Anfield has to wait for win
Steady Reddy saves Sunderland
Poor Villa beaten by Saints
De Bilde saves Wednesday
Bantams hold quick start Coventry
Heggem seals Anfield victory
Mighty Quinn sends Spurs crashing
Keane leads Coventry charge
Harte breaks Hammers