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Premier League match time is set to return to The Stadium of Light when Sunderland host Tottenham on Saturday, February 12, in a second-leg game in match week 27.
The 1st leg, hosted by Tottenham, at White Hart Lane, on November 9, ended in a 1-1 draw. Van der Vaart put the hosts ahead on 64 minutes, and three minutes later, Gyan brought the game back to level terms for Sunderland.
Post-match speak centred around Van der Vaart's perceived handling of the ball before scoring his aim for Tottenham. Spurs' fans could effectively have retaliated that Sunderland captain Cattermole had been let off for a similar offence the previous week, and what goes round, comes round.
It was an ordinary game, in particular for Spurs, whose manager Redknapp had been tom-tomming his side's title pretensions. Their 18 million pound signing Bentley was particularly disappointing. Gareth Bale was a different player from whom much was expected oin the day, Onuoha had the measure of the Welshman. Gallas was a different Spurs player who had a mediocre day. In truth, Sunderland were dominant in the last 10 minutes, and Spurs hung on to salvage a point.
Some of Redknapp's decisions were questionable. For instance, he took off Pavlyuchenko, 1 of his few players to have had a decent game, right after the initial half. In comparison, Crouch has been a non-performer for the most portion, but makes it additional beginning elevens.
For Sunderland, Gyan underlined his importance to the team immediately after having been ignored in his starting elevens by Steve Bruce.
Head to head, Tottenham have established a 12-5 lead more than Sunderland in the last 20 league games in between the sides.
In their last 10 league games, the Black cats have won and lost four each, though drawing the remaining two. Tottenham have won 5 of their last 10, whilst drawing 4 and losing just the one. In 13 home games this season Sunderland have registered 6 wins, 5 draws and 2 losses of 12 away games, Tottenham have won 5, drawn three and lost 4.
In match week 26, Sunderland lost three-two away at Stoke Tottenham beat Bolton 2-1 at home.
On present form, Sunderland will need home benefit and more to cope with Tottenham's attack.
Sunderland's starting eleven aganst Stoke comprised: Gordon, Onuoha, Mensah, Ferdinand, Bramble, Bardsley, Henderson, Muntari, Sessegnon, Richardson and Gyan. Malbranque and Zenden played as substitutes.
Tottenham had the following males in their beginning eleven against Bolton: Gomes, Corluka, Gallas, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Jenas, Van der Vaart, Crouch and Defoe. Pienaar, Kranjcar and Pavlyuchenko featured as substitutes.
