Sunderland Vs. Tottenham Hotspur: Michael Dawson, Niko Kranjcar Score To Put Spurs Ahead

After a poor start to the match, Tottenham Hotspur have worked their way into the lead against Sunderland with two scrappy goals. Michael Dawson scored Spurs’ opener on a corner kick just before the stroke of halftime. In the second half, 15 minutes in, Niko Kranjcar gave them the lead with a great volley, marking his second goal in as many games. While Spurs have been the much better team since the halftime break, Sunderland will feel hard done by to be trailing after a first half where they were the much better side.

A corner kick from Steven Pienaar created the first goal. While Michael Dawson was the man who scored it, William Gallas deserved much of the credit. Dawson rose up to head the ball, but Gallas ran across Craig Gordon and screened him, causing his sight lines to be blocked. The ball went between his legs and he had no idea until after it happened. It was like something out of a power play in hockey from Gallas.

The go-ahead goal was created by two players who rarely see the starting lineup for Tottenham, Sandro and Kranjcar. Sandro put in a cross from the right flank, which was headed out of the area. The ball fell to Kranjcar, who hit a fantastic volley and smoked the ball into the back of the net, much like his winner against Bolton.

Spurs haven’t played great today, but the scoreboard is all that matters in the end. They have a 2-1 lead, and they’ll be pleased with that regardless of how they came to get it.