Sunderland – Tottenham Hotspur

1. Live commentary will appear here from 1245 GMT.

2. The big team news is that Andre Villas-Boas has rotated his defence, with Michael Dawson and Steven Caulker starting. Jan Vertonghen drops to the bench and William Gallas is not included in the squad.

3. Martin O'Neill makes just one change, with Danny Rose - on loan from Spurs - making way. John O'Shea, back from illness, takes his place.

4. AVB has told Sky Sports: "Sunderland have excellent players from the back to the front and it's going to be a difficult game."

5. O'Neill, meanwhile, has told Sky Sports that no matter what plans he comes up with to combat Gareth Bale, he can hurt the hosts. "He's a talented player, a really brilliant player, one of the best players in Europe," he said.

6. 1'

   <b>KICK OFF</b> Spurs get the game underway!

7. 1'

   A bit of head tennis after the kick-off. Spurs presumably won't want too much of that sort of thing this afternoon.

8. 2'

   Adebayor attepmts to thread a pass through the eye of the needle, but it's easily cleared up.

9. 3'

   Fletcher and Johnson put together some near passing before Naughton stands in the former's way to end the move.

10. 4'

    Bale centres for Adebayor on the edge of the box. The striker is stretching and his shot is tame, but the home defence did little to deal with that.

11. 5'

    Sunderland win a free-kick from distance. Gardner takes, and his shot takes a deflection, but Lloris is able to gather comfortably.

12. 6'

    Sessegnon runs at the defence before clipping a pass towards Johnson out on the right, but the winger is left with too much ground to make up and it's a goal kick.

13. 8'

    Defoe runs towards the back line but his attempted pass is blocked off.

14. 10'

    Sunderland are working hard to close down Spurs players whenever they have the ball and, as a result, the visitors are just struggling to open the game up for the time being.

15. 12'

    McClean runs across the field and finds Johnson, whose inswinging cross is dealt with before Spurs finally clear.

16. 14'

    Caulker hoofs the ball out for a throw-in, which Sunderland work into a crossing opportunity for Gardner, but his effort is cleared.

17. 14'

    Sunderland come back and Sessegnon does well to put in a cross, but Lloris is there to gather.

18. 15'

    Lennon is released and gets behind Kilgallon to pull the ball back for Dembele, but the Belgian concedes a free-kick. Decent opening for Spurs.

19. 18'

    Defoe floats in a cross for Adebayor, but it's slightly overhit and the forward is, in any case, offside.

20. 18'

    McClean cross the far post, Johnson flicks it back across the face of goal, but there's no one there to turn it home and Dawson clears!

21. 20'

    Naughton makes a good sliding challenge on Sessegnon to prevent another foray down the right flank.

22. 20'

    Lennon shows great tenacity as he moves into the box, eventually finding Bale, who lays off to Sandro for a strike on goal. Mignolet fumbles it, but there's no one there to pounce.

23. 21'

    Cuellar is down with what appears to be a knee injury.

24. 22'

    It appears Colback fell onto Cuellar's leg as the latter challenged Lennon, but the Spaniard looks to be okay.

25. 23'

    A long free-kick forwards is headed towards goal by McClean, but Lloris gathers easily.

26. 24'

    Lennon drives past Kilgallon and earns a corner for Spurs.

27. 24'

    The corner is cleared as far as Sandro, who attempts a speculative shot, and the ball then finds its way to Dembele, whose deflected shot earns another corner.

28. 25'

    Mignolet punches the corner clear.

29. 25'

    Lennon slips a pass through to Adebayor who goes in on goal but, from a difficult angle, is denied by Mignolet and settles for another corner.

30. 26'

    Sunderland clear the corner again, but again Spurs end up in possession. The visitors are starting to get a bit of a hold here.

31. 27'

    Spurs win another corner as Cuellar's boot sends the ball behind.

32. 27'

    Bale's corner is not dealt with, but Spurs fail to take advantage, with Lennon's shot coming back off his own man.

33. 28'

    Lennon does brilliantly well to create space for a cross, which he clips in for Bale to head on goal, but the Wales winger can't find the target.

34. 30'

    Adebayor hits the bar! Defoe's shot gets past Cuellar and Adebayor nips in to shoot but hits the woodwork!

35. 30'

    The ball eventually comes back for Defoe, who blazes over the bar. It was an incredible miss for Adebayor and Spurs may come to rue that one.

36. 30'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/1229/moussadembelestephanesessegnon_275x155.jpg"><br>Mousa Dembele and Stephane Sessegon battle for the ball

37. 33'

    Bale's quick change of pace allows him room to get a cross in, and Gardner deflects it behind for a corner.

38. 33'

    Bale's corner is overhit. Walker eventually attempts a shot from distance but it's not troubling the goalkeeper.

39. 36'

    Sandro slips the ball to Defoe on the edge of the area, but his shot is blocked.

40. 36'

    Naughton wins the ball from Gardner on the edge of the Sunderland area, but he ends up deflecting the ball behind for a goal kick as his cross is blocked.

41. 37'

    Sunderland earn a free-kick which Johnson curls into the box. Cuellar's back header ends up on the roof of Lloris' goal.

42. 37'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/1229/garethbalegoestogroundagainstsunderland_275x155.jpg"><br>Gareth Bale goes to ground

43. 39'

    Naughton pulls down Sessegnon and the hosts have another free-kick, out on the left this time.

44. 40'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR SUNDERLAND!</b> O'Shea slots it home!

45. 40'

    Larsson's free-kick prompts a scramble in the box. Lloris makes a decent save but the ball drops for O'Shea, who makes no mistake!

46. 42'

    Bale attempts a pass through for Dembele but O'Shea blasts it clear.

47. 43'

    Fletcher puts the ball carelessly out of play, giving Spurs the chance to reapply the pressure.

48. 44'

    fletcher concedes possession once more, but Naughton is unable to control and Sunderland earn a throw-in.

49. 45'

    O'Shea makes an excellent interception to snuff out another pass through for Adebayor.

50. 45'

    Bale finds Defoe on the edge of the area and he takes a neat first touch before going down. The ref's not interested and the home fans boo the striker.

51. 45'

    Replays show that it was a dive.

52. 45'

    <b>HALF-TIME</b>

53. O'Shea, back from injury, gives Sunderland at the break despite having spent much of the first half under the cosh.

54. Adebayor's glaring miss looks costly at this stage, and with Sunderland defending in numbers it could be difficult to break them down, but there were enough signs in the first half that Spurs can take something from this game.

55. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/1229/emmanueladebayorhitsthebaragainstsunderland_275x155.jpg"><br>Adebayor hits the bar with the goal gaping

56. ESPN FC's North East correspondent Kristan Heneage tweets: "Feel a bit for Lloris, great save to keep out Fletcher then he concedes. Oh the life of a goalkeeper."

57. 46'

    <b>SUNDERLAND GET THE SECOND HALF UNDERWAY</b>

58. 46'

    Sessegnon does well as he collects a throw-in before earning a corner.

59. 46'

    Bale deals with Johnson's corner.

60. 47'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Spurs finally break away and Lennon is brought down by Cuellar, who earns a booking.

61. 48'

    Bale curls the free-kick into the danger area, but there's no one there to meet it and Cuellar heads behind.

62. 48'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR TOTTENHAM</b> Cuellar heads into his own net!

63. 48'

    The corner is floated to the near post and the centre-back diverts the ball past Mignolet to level the scores.

64. 50'

    Bales races down the left and puts in a cross, but again there's no one to meet it. A further cross comes in for Adebayor but Sunderland defend it well.

65. 51'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR TOTTENHAM!</b> Lennon puts Spurs ahead!

66. 51'

    Lennon does brilliantly as he latches onto a loose ball and, despite the attentions of several defenders, gets a shot away, placing it past Mignolet.

67. 52'

    Spurs have turned this match on its head inside the first six minutes of the second half.

68. 54'

    Johnson attempts a shot from the edge of the area but Lloris is alert, getting down to make the save at his near post.

69. 55'

    Fletcher is down and looks to have twisted his knee. He limps off the field for treatment.

70. 57'

    Spurs win a corner but it's easily collected by Mignolet.

71. 58'

    Fletcher is running a little gingerly but he looks to be okay.

72. 59'

    Lennon makes a run towards the right wing but loses possession as Colback gets a foot to the ball.

73. 60'

    MIGNOLET SAVES FROM CLOSE RANGE! Bale makes an exceptional run down the left flank and finds Defoe in the centre. The England striker has time to get a shot away but Mignolet manages to make the save!

74. 61'

    AVB had his head in his hands after that miss. It looked a certain goal.

75. 62'

    McClean flicks a pass into the area for Sessegnon in the left of the area, but the forward's shot - from a very difficult angle - is way wide.

76. 62'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Kilgallon is off for Fraizer Campbell, with Colback moving back to left-back. Lennon has certainly caused Kilgallon a few problems today.

77. 63'

    Sunderland win a free-kick. Larsson curls it in but O'Shea is standing in an offside position.

78. 65'

    Bale looks to make something happen down the left flank but ends up conceding a free-kick.

79. 67'

    Bale plays a ball over the top for Defoe, but Mignolet is able to collect.

80. 67'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/1229/aaronlennonscoresagainstsunderland_275x155.jpg"><br>Aaron Lennon scores to put Spurs 2-1 up

81. 68'

    O'Shea is now down for Sunderland. They've had plenty of injury scares today and it looks like he'll have to be substituted.

82. 68'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Bramble replaces the injured O'Shea.

83. 68'

    It appears the Irishman's hamstring went when he was chasing Bale's pass through for Defoe.

84. 69'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Dawson brings down Sessegnon and earns a booking.

85. 69'

    Larsson curls it in but Lloris makes an excellent punch clear.

86. 71'

    Bramble plays a ball forward for Naughton, who attempts to shepherd the ball out of play but ends up putting it out for a throw-in.

87. 72'

    Dawson puts his arms on Sessegnon's back to concede another free-kick. Larsson lines it up again.

88. 72'

    Larsson's curls it towards the top corner, and Lloris punches. The ball comes back in but the France No. 1 claims at the second attempt.

89. 73'

    Fletcher looks to chest through for Colback but Spurs defend it well.

90. 74'

    Bale does well down the left and plays a low centre but Spurs end up passing between one another in and around the area until, eventually, having to settle for a throw-in.

91. 75'

    Fletcher receives the ball in the area but is quickly closed down, and Sandro takes the ball clear.

92. 75'

    Bale takes the ball right to the Sunderland area but, going away from goal, ends up putting it out for a goal kick.

93. 76'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Dempsey replaces Defoe.

94. 76'

    Dempsey finds Adebayor, who runs the ball out of play. He believes it's a corner, though, and is enraged.

95. 77'

    Dembele attempts a speculative shot but it's blocked.

96. 77'

    Lennon receives the ball out wide and plays a decent ball into the centre, forcing Bramble to concede a corner.

97. 78'

    Dawson meets the corner from a deep position but Mignolet collects the header.

98. 78'

    Gardner wins a free-kick out on the right.

99. 79'

    Lloris rises to meet the free-kick but it's Adebayor who meets it, heading behind for a corner.

100. 79'

     Bale gets a boot to Larsson's corner.

101. 80'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Dembele was booked for the challenge on Gardner.

102. 80'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Wickham comes on for Larsson as O'Neill goes all-out for a goal.

103. 80'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Bale is booked for diving! The winger went down in the area under Gardner's challenge.

104. 80'

     There looked to be a little contact but not a lot.

105. 81'

     Bale is now suspended for the upcoming game with Reading, incidentally.

106. 82'

     Mignolet denies Adebayor! Dempsey's stunning backheel frees the striker but his attempt to slide the ball under the goalkeeper fails!

107. 83'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Spurs look to steady the game as Parker comes on for the excellent Lennon.

108. 83'

     Mignolet has difficult dealing with a Bramble backpass under pressure from Adebayor, but he gets the ball away for a throw-in.

109. 84'

     Sandro does well to block off Campbell's fierce shot from the corner of the area.

110. 86'

     Spurs put together some good passes before Parker plays in Bale down the left. His cross looks dangerous but fails to find Adebayor. Eventually the ball comes back to Bale, whose shot is saved by Mignolet.

111. 87'

     Johnson puts a ball across the face of goal but Naughton is there to get it away!

112. 88'

     Walker goes down on the edge of the area as Bramble stood his ground. There didn't appear to be any appeals from the Spurs full-back.

113. 90'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Bale comes off - to significant boos from the hosts in respect of his apparent dive - to be replaced by Sigurdsson.

114. 91'

     Five minutes are to be added on.

115. 91'

     Sunderland appeal for handball against Sandro in the area, but the referee isn't interested.

116. 91'

     Replays show the ball struck Sandro on the side of his face.

117. 92'

     Johnson looks to curl a long pass behind the defence, but it's too straight and Lloris can gather without pressure.

118. 93'

     Dawson gets down to block a Wickham shot but concedes a corner in the process.

119. 93'

     Johnson swings the corner in but Spurs earn a free-kick as Fletcher jumps in on Lloris.

120. 94'

     Mignolet hoofs the ball into attack and it eventually finds its way to Johnson on the left, but the winger gives the ball away to groans from the home fans.

121. 95'

     Cuellar volleys the ball out of play, his shot lacking power or direction.

122. 95'

     Johnson puts in a cross from the left but it's badly overhit.

123. 96'

     <b>FULL TIME</b>

124. Tottenham get the three points thanks to a quick turnaround at the start of the second half.

125. The result was a fair reflection on a match Spurs just edged, and Villas-Boas will be extremely pleased to see that notable missed chances - Adebayor spurned two and Defoe one - did not cost his side.

126. Thanks for joining us and stick with ESPN FC for the report and post-match reaction.

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