Ryan Mason earns Tottenham their first win of the season

Both teams went into the game without a victory in their opening four games of the campaign and as a result it was a nervy affair for much of the afternoon.

Jermain Defoe threatened throughout the first half against his former club and went closest to breaking the deadlock when his shot on the break cannoned back off the post, while Jack Rodwell hit the bar for Sunderland late on, but that was the best that the hosts could muster in a disappointing display.

Spurs also struggled to get going in the absence of Christian Eriksen, but the introduction of Erik Lamela after the break gave the visitors some much-needed spark and the Argentine unlocked the Sunderland defence in the crucial moment of the match.

Mason and Harry Kane worked the ball to Lamela in space outside the Sunderland box, and the creative midfielder lifted his head up and picked out a lovely pass to find Mason inside the area. The Englishman’s first touch was slightly heavy and gave the goalkeeper a chance to make the save, but a clever dinked finish was enough to seal the three points for Tottenham.

25’ - CHANCE: Defoe is played clean through on goal and places his shot past the onrushing Lloris... only for his effort to cannon back off the post. That's the best chance of the game so far, by a distance!

67’ - CHANGE: Alli is replaced by Lamela in the creative role behind Kane.

81’ - GGGOOOAAALLL!!! Ryan Mason puts Spurs ahead. Lamela picks the ball up outside the area, lifts his head up and spots the run of Mason, picking out the midfielder with a perfectly-weighted pass. The first touch is slightly heavy, giving Pantilimon a chance of making a save, but Mason clips his shot over the keeper and into the back of the net, injuring himself in the process. 1-0 Spurs!

83’ - CHANCE: Rodwell almost pulls Sunderland straight back level after great work by a rampaging Kaboul down the flank, but the sub's strike cannons back off the bar.

Ryan Mason’s goal was only his third for Tottenham in all competitions in 46 appearances, and his first on the road.

Sunderland have now gone 11 PL games without a win against Spurs (D3 L8), with their last top-flight win against the Lilywhites coming in April 2010 (3-1).

What’s happened to Harry Kane? The striker looked lively on international duty but was back to his hesitant self this afternoon. He had a couple of great chances to end his drought in front of goal, but is lacking confidence and takes far too long to make his mind up, which makes it easy for the opposition defence and goalkeeper to deal with him. If Lamela plays more regularly and Eriksen comes back then maybe Spurs will be able to get the ball to him in more dangerous positions, but he needs a goal soon before this barren spell becomes a serious problem.

Eric Dier (Tottenham): Spurs look much more solid at the back this season, which is partly due to the introduction of Toby Alderweireld, but also down to the excellent work by Dier in central midfield. Composed on the ball, strong in the air and with impressive positional sense for such a young player, Dier looks like a real prospect.

Sunderland: Pantilimon 6, Jones 5, O’Shea, 6, Kaboul 6, Van Aanholt 5, M’Vila 5, Gomez 5, Toivonen 5, Lens 6, Borini 6, Defoe 7 Subs: Rodwell 7, Cattermole 5, Watmore 5

Tottenham: Lloris 8, Walker 7, Alderweireld 7, Vertonghen 7, Davies 6, Dier 8, Mason 8, Alli 7, Son 6, Chadli 6, Kane 6 Subs: Townsend 7, Lamela 8, Carroll 6