Tottenham Hotspur supporters will be left frustrated with Tuesday's performance at White Hart Lane, one that keeps the club even on points with Sunderland after Asamoah Gyan's 67th minute goal left the sides drawn, 1-1. The Ghanaian's tally equalized a controversial Rafael van der Vaart goal, putting each club on 16 points through 12 matches.
Tottenham Defense Gives Sunderland Draw, Stoke City Salvages Win Over Birmingham City
The Dutch attacker's goal came after an hour of Spurs control being stymied by Craig Gordon, making his first start of the season, and Tottenham's inability to craft clear chances. In the 65th minute that changed in an almost predictable manner as Peter Crouch headed a Gareth Bale ball down from van der Vaart. With a little help from his right arm, van der Vaart trapped, turned and shot, giving Spurs a 1-0 lead.
That advantage was squandered when a ball deflected from midfield toward Spurs' back line led to confusion between William Gallas and Younes Kaboul. Asamoah Gyan was allowed alone on goal, with the Sunderland striker beating Gomes for the typing goal.
It was almost as if the Spurs defense felt sorry for the way their team scored the first goal. Gyan was handed a gift.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Stoke claimed a 2-0 lead over Birmingham City early in the second half, with goals by Robert Huth and Ricardo Fuller emboldening the always-loud Britannia crowd. Brum, however, pulled-back Stoke's lead with goals from Keith Fahey and Cameron Jerome, leaving the clubs tied after 67 minutes.
Late in the match, a defensive error by Scott Dann led to an easy Stoke winner. Dean Whitehead was the beneficiary as Dann failed to clear a slow rolling cross, allowing the Stoke midfielder a chance from six yards out. The 28-year-old's first Potters goal snapped Stoke's four match losing streak, giving them a 3-2 win.
With 13 points, Stoke now sits 15th, having started the day one place above the drop. Birmingham City assumes that spot, now sitting in 17th place.
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