Tottenham 3-2 Sunderland

Michael Carrick's first goal for Tottenham killed off Sunderland's determined challenge at White Hart Lane and condemned the relegation-bound visitors to a ninth straight defeat.

Tottenham, 3-2 winners, should have had the game wrapped up long before Teemu Tainio picked out Carrick with a sublime ball over his shoulder for the England midfielder to slide his shot from an acute angle inside the far post.

After Spurs had wasted three excellent chances in the first 15 minutes, Michael Dawson conceded a free-kick near his own box and Dean Whitehead curled home the set-piece to give Sunderland the lead.

Spurs equalised before the interval after Robbie Keane picked out Mido and then moved into the lead just after half-time when the Irish international profited from a defensive mix-up.

But Sunderland hit back almost immediately through Anthony Le Tallec and it was only after Black Cats keeper Ben Alnwick had brilliantly saved Keane's penalty that Spurs finally secured the win with Carrick's cool strike 10 minutes from time.

It was almost constant Tottenham pressure and when Tainio turned in space on the edge of the Sunderland box he fired a vicious 20-yard drive which forced Alnwick into an acrobatic save.
Edgar Davids almost scored close to half-time with a header which whistled just over the bar, while Mido curled a left-foot effort wide.

Tainio had a great chance for Tottenham, but his effort rattled the post and rebounded clear.
Tottenham were preparing for Jermain Defoe's introduction when Keane clipped the ball into the Sunderland box and Gary Breen was penalised for hand-ball.

The Sunderland bench were furious as the referee pointed to the spot - but Alnwick produced a stunning save from Keane's penalty.

The clincher came when Tainio played a ball over his shoulder and Carrick cut into the box and slid his shot inside the far post.

Tottenham boss Martin Jol hailed the performance of Michael Carrick after the England midfielder scored the winner as Spurs condemned Sunderland to a ninth straight defeat.

'His goal was unbelievable,' Jol said. 'His first touch was directly to goal and his second touch everybody thought he would pull it back and he saw a little hole. He saw the possibility to score.
'He mastered the midfield today.'

Spurs are back up into the top four after making their best start in six years - but Jol insists his men cannot yet be considered a genuine Champions League contenders.

'We have to be realistic. If you look at the league you still see teams (like Arsenal) with games in hand. Last week you look at the table and all the top sides were above us. Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool - they are all great teams.

'We have to look at teams like Bolton. But we will never say no and if we can get the points on the board and stay there in the top four it will be terrific.

'I still think there are a couple of months to go before we can get the right balance to kill off teams like Sunderland.

'But everyone can see the team getting better and better. We are building a new and exciting squad but we have to work hard to keep improving our game.'

Jol said: 'I don't think we made it hard on ourselves. Their first goal was their first shot on goal - it was an unbelievable free-kick and that can happen - and their second goal was probably from their third shot.

'So all credit to them. It was a great game for the crowd - maybe not for me.
'If you play at home and score three goals you want an easy win but we knew before the game that teams like Sunderland would fight for their lives.'

Jol once again decided to keep Jermain Defoe on the bench and start with Mido and Keane together up front.