Tottenham Hotspur were forced to come from behind to go into the break all square against struggling Sunderland at White Hart Lane this evening.
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The hosts almost took the lead in fortuitous circumstances after just six minutes when Christian Eriksen's cross deflected off Marcos Alonso, forcing Vito Mannone to tip it over the bar as it threatened to sneak in.
Sunderland came close in the 15th minute as Adam Johnson sent a free kick into the box that Wes Brown rose to meet with a powerful header that flew narrowly past the post.
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The visitors were ahead shortly afterwards, however, as a poor pass from Vlad Chiriches allowed Lee Cattermole to sneak in and roll the ball home with Hugo Lloris out of position.
Spurs looked to respond immediately and had a good chance to do so when Nacer Chadli's mis-hit shot deflected into the path of Harry Kane, who in turn fired an effort of his own straight at Mannone.
The hosts had another chance midway through the half when Kyle Naughton almost caught the keeper off guard with an effort that rippled the side-netting.
Fabio Borini then forced a good stop from Lloris before Spurs levelled things up shortly before the half-hour mark, Emmanuel Adebayor bundling the ball home after latching on to a fine Eriksen cross.
Kane and Danny Rose both threatened Mannone's goal in quick succession in the 31st minute, but neither side could take the lead before the break as they went in locked at 1-1.
Barney Corkhill
