Tottenham 1 Sunderland 1:STEVE BRUCE does not like London, having failed to win a Premier League fixture in the capital since 2004 but he likes it a little more after watching his Sunderland team escape White Hart Lane with a scarcely deserved point.

Harry Redknapp does not like Howard Webb and the Tottenham Hotspur manager likes him even less after he watched him deny his team what looked like a clear penalty with the score at 0-0 in the second half. Worse, the referee chose to book David Bentley for a dive.

Redknapp has complained that Webb has made dreadful decisions against his team on a handful previous occasions and his mood darkened when the official chose only to book Lee Cattermole, the Sunderland captain, for a dangerous tackle on Luka Modric. Cattermole’s initial contact was with the ball but his challenge was high and aggressive.

Redknapp’s ire could also be directed at his defenders. After Rafael van der Vaart had given his team the lead with his seventh goal in six White Hart Lane appearances – the Dutchman always scores here – Tottenham’s central defenders William Gallas and Younes Kaboul ran into each other to allow Asamoah Gyan in for his fifth Sunderland goal.

For Tottenham, who had enjoyed the better of the chances and the possession, it felt like two points dropped, although Modric’s touch and technique, particularly in tight spaces, was a joy to watch.

Roman Pavlyuchenko took one high ball down on his chest and finished a surging run with a shot just past the upright. Craig Gordon, back in the Sunderland goal for the first time this season after a broken arm, had that one covered and, moments earlier, got across smartly to paw away a snap-shot from Modric.

However, the first-half’s stand-out moment was served up by Tom Huddlestone. After Anton Ferdinand, who limped off with a muscular injury, had only half-cleared, Huddlestone made a sweet first-time connection with his right foot from outside the penalty area. His shot fizzed and rose and, with Gordon beaten, it rattled against the crossbar.

Gordon’s best save, though. was when he beat away a left-footed shot from David Bentley, who made his first Premier League start of the season, but he also clawed away an inswinging free-kick from the Tottenham winger.

The hosts remained on the front foot in the second half and Van Der Vaart went close with a series of headers from Bentley crosses.

The decision to book Bentley was forgotten when Tottenham went ahead, and it ought to be noted that Webb played a good advantage when Zenden fouled Benoit Assou-Ekotto. The ball was moved wide to Bale and his high cross was headed back by the substitute Peter Crouch for Van Der Vaart to control, spin and finish.

But Tottenham ensured that Webb was back on the agenda when they contrived to present Sunderland with the equaliser.

Guardian Service

TOTTENHAM: Gomes, Hutton, Kaboul, Gallas, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Huddlestone, Modric, Bale, Van der Vaart, Pavlyuchenko (Crouch 46). Subs not used: Cudicini, Jenas, Palacios, Bassong, Kranjcar, Corluka. Booked: Bentley, Gomes.

SUNDERLAND: Gordon, Onuoha, Turner, Bramble, Ferdinand (Bardsley 18), Henderson, Cattermole, Riveros (Welbeck 46), Richardson (Malbranque 86), Zenden, Gyan. Subs not used: Mignolet, Angeleri, Da Silva, Elmohamady. Booked: Cattermole.

Referee: Howard Webb(S Yorkshire).