SUNDERLAND'S London jinx continued when their nine-game unbeaten run came to an end at White Hart Lane. The Wearsiders have now gone 22 top flight games in the capital without a win, but they fought back bravely before going down to a 78th minute goal from substitute Chris Armstrong.

Early in the game Sunderland had to thank their Danish goalkeeper for a series of inspired saves before Spurs conceded a penalty in the 37th minute when central defender Ramon Vega handled. But England striker Kevin Phillips failed to add to his five goal tally by blasting a right foot shot over the bar.

Sunderland paid for the miss when Spurs - beaten in their last two games - took the lead in the 43rd minute through skipper Tim Sherwood, who fired home from close range after a right wing corner came off the knee of central defender Jody Craddock.

Sunderland looked to have salvaged a point when Scottish international Don Hutchison scored his third goal in five days with a header in the 62nd minute. But Spurs substituted Armstrong in the 71st minute for their £11m striker Sergei Rebrov and seven minutes later he broke through the middle to stick the ball through the legs of the advancing Sorensen.