Spurs bounced back from the disappointments of a Worthington Cup final defeat at the hands of Blackburn Rovers to complete a double over Sunderland.

But the Wearsiders, looking for their first top flight win at White Hart Lane for over 32 years, made the Londoners fight all the way and new striker Patrick Mboma marked his full debut with a goal before being subbed with a rib injury.

A gamble by Sunderland manager Peter Reid failed to come off as Spurs took the lead in the 30th minute through Gustavo Poyet.

Young full-back George McCartney had been forced to leave the field for stitches to a cut on his shin in the 28th minute and instead of using a sub, Reid decided to play on with 10 men and the Uruguayan forced the ball home from close range after a right wing corner.

Sunderland equalised in the third minute of first half stoppage time when Mboma, who came on as a substitute against Newcastle, beat defender Ledley King to score with an angled left-foot shot.

The visitors almost took the lead in the 55th minute when Kevin Kilbane had a powerful header pushed over the bar and the Wearsiders might have had a penalty when Mboma appeared to be fouled my Dean Richards as he burst through the middle in the 59th minute.

Teddy Sheringham wasted another great chance on the hour before Spurs regained the lead with the winning goal from Les Ferdinand the 63rd minute.

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