Sebastian Larsson has admitted that Sunderland were the creators of their own downfall during yesterday's 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light.

The hosting Black Cats went into the break 1-0 up thanks to John O'Shea's first goal for the club.

However, within five minutes of the restart, visiting Spurs had taken what was to be an unassailable lead courtesy of an own goal from Carlos Cuellar and a curling effort from winger Aaron Lennon.

Looking back at the two goals, Larsson has insisted that both were preventable.

"I feel it's a game where we've thrown points away," he told the club's official website. "I know Spurs are a good team, but we conceded two very poor goals. If we hadn't done that we would have gone on to win the game.

"I don't think Spurs had to work very hard to get their goals and that's the disappointment from our side. Fair enough if they cut us open and score some brilliant goals but they didn't do that.

"An own goal is unfortunate but we never should have conceded the second."

The defeat has left Sunderland 13th in the Premier League table.