Tottenham put paid to Sunderland's dream of topping the Premiership with a commanding display on Wearside. Christian Ziege's freak 26th-minute opener was little more than the visitors deserved as their hosts spluttered through the early stages, and the points were all but assured six minutes into the second half when captain Teddy Sheringham made it two with an unstoppable header.

Kevin Phillips reduced the deficit 12 minutes from time with a well-taken volley, but his side's performance barely warranted any more on a night when they were played off the park for long periods.

But for a few fleeting moments, it was the best part of an hour before the Wearsiders managed to put Spurs under sustained pressure, although a late onslaught raised hopes of a fightback.

Sunderland boss Peter Reid kept faith with the 11 men who ran out at Villa Park on Sunday to secure a hard-fought 0-0 draw, and that meant a place for the second successive game for Austrian goalkeeper Jurgen Macho.

The Wearsiders could have taken the lead within 40 seconds of the whistle when Julio Arca saw his left-foot volley tipped over by Neil Sullivan. But if the home fans thought they were in for a treat they were sadly disappointed.

Their only other real effort of note in the opening 45 minutes came on 38 minutes when Niall Quinn headed Michael Gray's cross down for Phillips, who forced another good save from the Spurs goalkeeper.

SUNDERLAND: Macho, Haas, Gray, McCartney (Williams 57), Craddock, Arca, Schwarz, McCann, Kilbane (Laslandes 78), Phillips, Quinn. Subs Not Used: Kennedy, Thirlwell, Bellion. Booked: Schwarz. Goals: Phillips 79.

TOTTENHAM: Sullivan, Taricco, Perry, King, Ziege, Freund, Poyet, Anderton (Leonhardsen 82), Davies, Sheringham, Ferdinand (Rebrov 68). Subs Not Used: Keller, Etherington, Thelwell. Booked: Ziege, Perry. Goals: Ziege 26, Sheringham 51.

Referee: P Durkin (Dorset).