Spurs stun Black Cats with late rally

Kevin Kilbane gives Sunderland the lead

Sunderland 2-3 Tottenham

If ever there was a game of two contrasting halves, this was it.

Niall Quinn bounced back from injury to score a goal that looked to have revitalised Sunderland's European qualification hopes.

But Spurs supremo Glenn Hoddle watched his team fight back from 2-0 down to earn themselves a thrilling win at the Stadium of Light.

Gary Doherty was the second-half hero, netting twice to shake off any lingering relegation concerns.

Sunderland boss Peter Reid would not have believed the result possible at half-time.

Quinn celebrates his first-half strike

In the first period, his side were dominant, playing tidy football, worthy of Europe.

Injury-ravaged Tottenham, by contrast, looked short of confidence after their cup exit; their defence was at times hesitant; their attack blunt.

The home team, looking hungrier and better organised, asserted themselves early.

We had a little bit of a go at them, we changed the shape completely in the second half and I thought we showed that we have character, the sort of character which achieves things

  Spurs manager Glenn Hoddle

A right-field run by Patrice Carteron culminated in a teasing low cross that Kevin Kilbane reacted to well, prodding home from five yards.

It got no better for Spurs.

Minutes later, the goalscorer had a nasty clash of heads with Tottenham's Ledley King, who never recovered and had eventually to be replaced by Anthony Gardner on 20 minutes.

By this time, Sunderland had doubled their lead.

When Julio Arca won a free-kick after 12 minutes, Stefan Schwarz stepped up and drove in a low curler that Neil Sullivan could only parry.

The ball broke kindly to Niall Quinn who found the net from a tight angle.

Quinn was having an increasing impact on the game, winning the ball well in the air to create half-chances for partner-in-crime Kevin Phillips, who was no doubt pleased to have him back.

Tottenham steadied themselves before the interval and, to the credit of their manager, came back from it with far more purpose.

Goalscorer: Clemence

A neat passage of play down the Sunderland right landed the ball at Steve Carr's feet.

His flick inside the box to Simon Davies was turned on instantly to Stephen Clemence who volleyed home with his wrong foot.

Game on.

Tottenham continued to apply pressure.

Clemence swung a cross in to Gary Doherty who failed to hit the target from only a couple of yards out.

He would more than make up for his miss.

After Sergei Rebrov and substitute Korsten had both been denied by Thomas Sorenson, Doherty sprinted through a gap in Sunderland's increasing frail defence.

We were a shambles, a disaster and for the third goal it was like Billy Smart's Circus out there

  Sunderland manager Peter Reid

His finish was confident, the score level, and the stage set for an improbable climax.

And Doherty it was again, minutes from the end of the contest, who bundled in a scrappy winner after more good work from Korsten.

Hoddle must be delighted by the pride and fight shown by his young team.

Reid will lament a dismal second half collapse that may yet cost the Black Cats a place in Europe.

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Sunderland: Sorensen, Carteron, Gray, Craddock, Arca, Thome, Kilbane, Schwarz, Phillips, Quinn, Hutchison. Subs: Macho, Thirlwell, Williams, Butler, Varga.

Tottenham: Sullivan, Carr, Perry, Young, King, Davies, Leonhardsen, Sherwood, Clemence, Rebrov, Doherty. Subs: Walker, Korsten, Gardner, Thelwell, Piercy.

Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill)