Sunderland 1 Tottenham 0: Sunderland debutant Michael Chopra pounced deep into injury-time to mark Roy Keane's Premier League managerial debut with a dramatic winner at the Stadium of Light.

Chopra, a 71st minute replacement for Anthony Stokes, fired the ball home from a Ross Wallace cross to give the Black Cats a deserved victory.

Dickson Etuhu had seen a point-blank effort turned away by Paul Robinson moments earlier, while faltering Tottenham's only second half chance of note was a Dimitar Berbatov free-kick.

It was a rich reward for the way in which Keane's men had gone about their return to the top-flight with Dickson Etuhu also having had a match-winning chance moments earlier.

In contrast Spurs' multi-million pound strikeforce appeared toothless and the usually inspirational Berbatov was shackled superbly by Paul McShane throughout.

Berbatov had a half-hearted penalty appeal turned down in the first half and lofted a free-kick over the bar in the second half but otherwise the chances fell Sunderland's way.

Craig Gordon, one of four summer signings named in Keane's starting line-up, could hardly have wished for a more low-key start to life as Britain's most expensive goalkeeper.

Having seen his side win, Keane was understandably buoyant.

"The fact is we played extremely well and I thought the better team won," he told Sky Sports. "It was a late goal, we got plenty of them last season and I hope there are more to come. It was down to the players, and that desire not to settle for a draw.

"The players deserve all the credit, they were fantastic. Winning football matches is the best feeling in the world. I've got great faith in them. The new lads, like Chops (Chopra), have settled in well."

Defender Nyron Nosworthy added: "It's important to come off with a win and we can push on from that.

"We've been working defensively hard. The Premier League has top-class players but we restricted them (Spurs) perfectly and that's just what we've been working for."