csconstantine.com

By DANIEL CUTTS STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Niko Kranjcar’s superb late strike enabled Tottenham to beat Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light on Saturday and take Harry Redknapp’s team into fourth place in the Premier League table.

Spurs went three points above Chelsea and if they win their match in hand can go into third place ahead of Manchester City.

Tottenham’s third win in succession came after a sloppy and disappointing first half at the end of which they were fortunate to be level.

Sunderland took an early lead but failed to hold on and slumped to their third defeat in a row without surrendering seventh spot in the table.

The Black Cats looked to be well on their way to a morale-boosting home win after taking the lead in the eleventh minute.

The Spurs defence was exposed while William Gallas was off the pitch changing his boots allowing Asamoah Gyan to stride through and beat Heurelho Gomes with a powerful low shot.

That goal woke up Tottenham and there was a new urgency about them which resulted in the equaliser in the 44th minute.

England defender Michael Dawson was unmarked when he headed goalwards and the presence of Gallas near the line forced goalkeeper Craig Gordon to allow the effort to go through his legs.

There was not much in the second half to excite home fans and the winner came in the 57th minute from Kranjcar for the second successive week.

Last week the Croatia international’s left foot strike earned a last-minute win over Bolton. His goal this time was not dissimilar and just as effective.

Sunderland defender John Mensah cleared a cross from Sandro to him and the midfield player volleyed the ball home from the edge of the area.

Sunderland did step up their play after Kranjcar’s goal but Gomes was not threatened although he and striker Roman Pavlyuchenko were booked for time-wasting.

Tottenham manager Redknapp was delighted by the result and the way his side had stormed back after such a sloppy start.

“We just did not get going for the first half an hour. It was just one mistake after another and it took a goal to wake us up,” said Redknapp. “I don’t know why we were like that because we have been playing so well lately.

“But once we got level I always we would go on and win.

“Niko is making a habit of scoring brilliant goals. His goal last week was absolutely fantastic and this was right up there with one.”

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce felt his side had wasted good possession and not made the most of their flying start.

“We were on top for the first half, got a goal and looked well set,” said Bruce. “But they got a goal just before the break against the run of play and that set us back.

“In the second half we were never the same force but even so it took an exceptional goal to beat us.

“I just felt that we did not kill them off when we had the chance. One goal is never enough to see off a team of Tottenham’s quality.”

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