Thaindian News

London, Dec 12 (IANS) The 11-game unbeaten Tottenham Hotspur were stunned 1-2 by Stoke City in the English Premier League Sunday while Sunderland snatched a dramatic comeback victory to gift the newly-appointed coach Martin O’Neill a perfect start.

Matthew Etherington, the former Hotspur’s player, struck twice against his former club in the first half, making a dream start for the host side.

After 17 minutes into the second half, Croatian playmaker Modric’s sharp penetration in the area caused Stoke a foul and Emmanuel Adebayor converted a penalty for Hotspur.

Boosted by the goal, the visitors surged forward to push for an equaliser but defender Younes Kaboul’s dismissal in red card later made Redknapp’s team one man down, finally enduring the upset defeat.

With one game in hand, Hotspur are five points behind the second-placed Manchester United after the end of their six-game winning streak. While Manchester City, who top the table and lead the city rivals with two points, will meet Chelsea Monday.

In the other clash of the day, Sunderland’s persistence was paid back in the last ten minutes.

Simon Vukcevic put Blackburn ahead in the 17th minute.

David Vaughan equalised for Sunderland with a superb shot in the 84th minute before Sebastian Larsson’s last-gasp free-kick sent the sensational coach Neill and thunderous home crowds into the wild.

With the hard-fought victory, Sunderland climbed out of the bottom three with two-point advantage.

Wigan, Blackburn and Bolton are in the relegation zone after 15 games.