Sunderland wasted the chance to turn an encouraging display at Tottenham into an unexpected point, losing 1-0 on Sunday after a woeful goalmouth error by Papy Djilobodji allowed Harry Kane an easy winner.
Spurs had levels of possession and dominance that were embarrassing at times for the loud and vocal Sunderland following at White Hart Lane, and they should have won more handsomely.
But the best chance in a goalless first half fell to Sunderland' Steven Pienaar, whose unconvincing attempt to convert an Adnan Januzaj cross was cleared off the line by Kyle Walker.
The need for greater sharpness in front of goal, especially when chances were so infrequent, was emphasised when Kane gleefully scored from close range after Djilobodji made a complete hash of a routine clearance in front of Sunderland's star man, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.