Tottenham v Sunderland 16/11/96 3.00Tottenham (1) 2 Sunderland (0) 0 FT Sinton 13 Sheringham 82 Sunderland's former Spurs striker Paul Stewart was sent off in London for the second time this season as his old team clinched their fifth win in six games with goals by Andy Sinton and Teddy Sheringham. Referee Mike Reed had already shown six yellow cards for a variety of petty offences so Stewart could not have been surprised to see red in the 56th minute after jumping in wildly with a crude challenge on Colin Calderwood. In September Stewart was sent off for two handling offences against Arsenal although the FA subsequently quashed the dismissal after the referee reviewed his decision after studying video evidence. But there is little chance of a let off this time and Stewart's exit ruined any slight hopes Sunderland might have had of saving a point. Sinton and Darren Anderton both made surprise comebacks for Spurs after injury layoffs and it was winger Sinton who sparked victory with a splendid strike in the 12th minute, his first league goal for more than three years. Sheringham, who later missed a penalty, should have added a second before half time but fumbled his chance when completely clear following Anderton's free kick into the box. That was nothing though compared to Kevin Ball's blunder for Sunderland three minutes from the break when he shot wide of a gaping goal after bad marking allowed Michael Bridges to set him up perfectly. Sunderland battled manfully to stay in the game but their hopes were dashed with Stewart's premature exit even though Michael Gray went close afterwards with a header. Ten minutes from time England striker Sheringham had the chance to wrap up the points for Spurs when referee Reed gave a penalty after Ball tripped David Howells but Sheringham's spot kick hit the post. Within two minutes however he had made amends to easily slot home after Anderton's penetrating run and low cross to seal the victory. 
Tottenham: Walker, Howells, Calderwood, Nielsen, Sheringham, Armstrong, Wilson, Campbell, Carr, Anderton (Rosenthal, 89), Sinton. Subs not used: Baardsen, Edinburgh, Allen, Nethercott. Booked: Sinton, Armstrong, Carr. Sunderland: Perez, Scott, Bracewell, Ball, Melville, Gray (Smith, 83), Stewart, Hall (Rae, 76), Kelly, Bridges (Russell, 66), Kubicki. Subs not used: Preece, Agnew. Booked: Hall, Bridges, Scott. Attendance: 31,867. Referee: M.D. Reed (Birmingham). |
