Tottenham Hotspur scored two quickfire goals in the second half to earn three crucial point at Sunderland this afternoon.

The home side had led at the break, albeit against the run of play, courtesy of a finish from close range by returning skipper John O'Shea.

Sunderland were on the defensive from the outset, with Gareth Bale looking dangerous in the opening stages.

Emmanuel Adebayor was guilty of missing a pair of gilt-edged chances for the visitors, most notably hitting the bar from close range after a mistake from Carlos Cuellar.

Against the run of the play the Mackems took the lead just before the break when they took full advantage of an inviting set piece.

Spurs failed to clear a curling free kick from Sebastian Larsson, which fell to Steven Fletcher. The Scot had his shot well saved by Hugo Lloris but the rebound fell to O'Shea, who was on hand to slot home the opening goal.

Bale looked to orchestrate a quick response but Sunderland held firm and head into the break with a slender advantage.

The visitors were level three minutes after the break when Cuellar turned into his own net, looping a header over a helpless Simon Mignolet.

A rapid turnaround was complete two minutes later when Aaron Lennon skipped round O'Shea before curling home an assured strike.

Mignolet kept Sunderland in the match by denying Bale and Caulker in the closing stages, but Spurs held on comfortably to secure the win.