A free kick from Sebastian Larsson has ensured that Sunderland go into half time 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.

Much of the pre-match build-up had been centred around Jermain Defoe's return to North London, but it took just three minutes for Spurs to divert the attention on the Sunderland goal.

After a free kick from Christian Eriksen was only cleared to the edge of the penalty area, Jan Vertonghen was on hand to fire the ball back towards goal with a deflection taking it past goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon.

However, moments later, Sunderland should have won a penalty when a sharp turn from Defoe deceived Vertonghen, who in turn sent the new Black Cats signing tumbling to the ground, but the referee waved away Sunderland's appeals.

Despite trailing, the visitors were having the better of the opening exchanges but Spurs came close to doubling their advantage when Danny Rose's pull-back found Eriksen, who saw his low effort well kept out by Pantilimon.

After Roberto Soldado also squandered an opening, Sunderland came back into the match with Steven Fletcher missing from close range, but he wasn't made to pay for his mistake after the North-East side drew level just after the half-hour mark.

Vertonghen was booked for hauling down Defoe on the edge of the penalty area to allow Larsson to curl the ball past Hugo Lloris from 20 yards.

Much of the remaining 14 minutes of the half passed by without incident, but shortly before half time, Harry Kane almost added to his Premier League tally for the season only to see his shot strike the post.