Reaction: Tottenham 4-1 Sunderland

1. Spurs move four points off the top
2. Sunderland drop down to 19th

Alderweireld's clearance went out for a corner but, seconds after Sunderland take it, it is Spurs who should have scored...

The home side break at lightning pace and they have five men running at two Sunderland defenders, but Erik Lamela fires inches wide when he tries to find the finish. Close, but no cigar.

Reuters

Another sniff for Jermain Defoe, after Jordan Pickford's long ball forward is headed towards him in the area. Defoe turns past one defender but Toby Alderweireld is there to cover.

Tottenham have had eight shots in the first 30 minutes, but only that early Harry Kane strike has seriously troubled rookie keeper Jordan Pickford, and that even earlier Jan Vertonghen header was the home side's only other effort on target.

Spurs' possession is still hovering around the 70% mark but they have nothing to show for it so far. As Clive Allen says, Sunderland are looking surprisingly organised, considering they have got the worst defensive record in the Premier League this season.

'Sunderland are very compact'

Clive Allen

Former Tottenham & England forward at White Hart Lane for 5 live Sport

Reuters

"Sunderland have, so far, looked very compact and have been difficult to break down. 

"Billy Jones is defending very well, paying Harry Kane close attention. And the young keeper, Jordan Pickford, has been claiming the ball really confidently."

Low-key Defoe

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Jermain Defoe scored five times in his previous two Premier League games, as many as he did in his previous 22 league appearances. Yet it's been a low-key return to the White Hart Lane for the Sunderland striker so far.

Defoe touched the ball just three times in the opening 25 minutes as the graph on the right illustrates compared to 10 times by Tottenham striker Harry Kane.

Sunderland have a shot

Forget the two strikers for a second, because other players are trying to join the party.

First Danny Rose flashes a shot over from the edge of the area for the home side, then Jeremain Lens tries his luck from distance for the visitors - also off target. That was Sunderland's first effort at goal, and it took them 25 minutes.

This text commentary is turning into a focus on Harry Kane and Jermain Defoe, probably because not a lot else is happening.

Sunderland are still being pegged back but they do have the odd sniff coming forward, and it is just a shame for them that their last two crosses aimed at Defoe, by Jeremain Lens and Billy Jones, have been so poor.

Reuters

Harry Kane's turn to chase a bouncing ball into the box. No joy for him either, although replays show Sunderland defender Billy Jones had a handful of Kane's shirt as he leapt above him to clear his lines. Referee Mike Dean lets play continue.

Here is Jermain Defoe now, though, and he is chasing the ball where he likes it best - in the opposition area. I think Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen misjudged his header in the sun but, whatever happened, the ball bounced through to Defoe but he could not control it and the ball went behind for a goal-kick after Toby Alderweireld fired it against the striker.

Reuters

Spurs striker Harry Kane is seeing rather more of the ball than Defoe, and has just had his second attempt at goal. Christian Eriksen sends in a teasing low cross that Kane meets at the near post but he is under pressure and skews his shot well wide... no Jimmy Greaves-like finish there.

'Kane is copying the great Jimmy Greaves'

Clive Allen

Former Tottenham & England forward at White Hart Lane for 5 live Sport

Getty Images

"Harry Kane always aims for the bottom corners, rather than hitting the top of the goal. It's something that I know he's worked on a lot, copying the great Jimmy Greaves who used to do the same."

Most of the game is taking place in the Sunderland half, and Spurs are coping well when the Black Cats pump the ball forward. Not much joy for Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe yet... he has only touched the ball once in the first 15 minutes.

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Matthew Spencer: Must win game for us if we have any hope of getting top 4 

DS Weinstein-Linder: Sitting in an MBA lecture rather than the west upper at  hoping Spurs can upset JD's new lot. Write me some good news.

Spurs bossing it

Here is Tottenham's superior possession in graphical form. As you can see, not much of the game is taking place near the home side's area.

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It is Tottenham who are still doing most of the pressing, however, and this has to go down as a chance missed.

A Spurs corner is not cleared and the ball breaks to Dele Alli inside the area, but he blasts over. By his high standards, that was surprisingly poor.

Sunderland are yet to test Hugo Lloris but they have just had their first corner. Tottenham cleared their lines easily, though.

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'Pickford is a good shot-stopper'

Clive Allen

Former Tottenham & England forward at White Hart Lane for 5 live Sport

Reuters

"Jordan Pickford was playing regularly at Preston in the Championship earlier in the season. He's a goot shot-stopper, and he just needs to help Sunderland find that elusive clean sheet today."

GREAT SAVE!

It is all Tottenham so far - I don't think Sunderland have got out of their half yet.

The Black Cats' rookie keeper Jordan Pickford could be in for a busy afternoon, but he is doing well so far, diving to his left to push a Harry Kane shot around the post after the England striker let fly from the edge of the area.

It is Tottenham who are first to threaten. Danny Graham concedes a free-kick on the right of the area and Erik Lamela swings it in. Jan Vertonghen heads the ball goalwards, but it is a comfortable first catch in the Premier League for Jordan Pickford.

Reuters