GUS POYET has admitted he dropped a fully-fit Steven Fletcher from his Sunderland squad for yesterday's 2-2 draw with Tottenham.

Fletcher did not even make the substitutes' bench to face Spurs, with Connor Wickham preferred in the starting line-up and Jozy Altidore getting the nod among the replacements.

The Sunderland boss admits it was a tough decision to leave the Scotland international out of his matchday 18, but is confident Fletcher will respond in the right manner when he returns to the training ground this week.

Poyet said: "Was it a tactical decision? Yes it was. For the first time from the moment I came here, apart from the (Capital One Cup) final, when Jozy wasn't in, it was really hard (to select the bench). It's hard decisions.

"I think it's about making an impact on the team, and it normally only happens in the top teams when big players are out of the squad.

"It was tough, but I hope that and am sure that Fletch will react well and make somebody else be out of the bench next week."

Sunderland rode their luck as they twice came from behind to claim a point, with Tottenham failing to convert their superiority for long spells into all three points.

Harry Kane's 82nd-minute own goal ensured the Black Cats would claim their third draw from the first four Premier League matches, with Poyet happy with his players' commitment and determination despite being outplayed for the majority of the game.

He said: "I am happy with the point. It's the hardest game we've played so far, and the best team we've played against by far. Really, it was a hard game for us.

"It was a proper point, and one that we needed to work really, really hard to get. You need to work it out, to try to fight and stay in the game, sometimes with a little bit of luck and sometimes knowing that you're going to have a chance. That was the big positive."