Sunderland were simply first to every loose ball, Lee Cattermole had no grievance against Spurs but he snapped at the heels of former Wigan team-mate Wilson Palacios throughout.

BBC: Sunderland 3-1 Tottenham

"We've had plans to him in this game, every so often we bowl a loose ball to him but it's frustrating and we need to come back and be more consistent, " Finn conceded.

BBC: Ashes: Early start suits England, says Steven Finn

They threatened the increasingly anxious Spurs defence with every set-piece, and the second goal arrived when a loose ball was not cleared and Johnson was the fastest to react, spinning on the edge of the six-yard box to poach his fourth league goal of the season.

BBC: Fulham 2-1 Tottenham