SPURS SEE OFF BLACK CATS

Bent had the chance to level for the visitors against the side he left in controversial circumstances but Heurelho Gomes saved his weak spot-kick.

Huddlestone grabbed his third of the season with an effort that crashed in off the crossbar, doubling the lead after Keane's early strike.

The home side were ahead in the 12th minute. Craig Gordon saved from Keane but the ball squirmed through the Sunderland goalkeeper and was tapped in by the striker.

Kieran Richardson and Phil Bardsley were off target for the visitors before two penalty shouts in quick succession 12 minutes before the interval.

The first was when Heurelho Gomes dived at the feet of Bent and looked to have got some glove on the ball as the Sunderland striker was sent sprawling. Jermain Defoe then thought he was fouled at the other end but was himself penalised.

Andy Reid struck the post before the break with a 35-yard dipping drive, before Bent won a dubious penalty. Referee Kevin Friend only gave the Spurs stopper a yellow card when he was the last man, with Gomes parrying Bent's placed spot-kick.

Gomes saved twice more, both times from Steed Malbranque, before Huddlestone had a powerful drive cleared off the line by Paulo da Silva, with Gordon taking a knock to his wrist in the build-up.

Gordon's injury saw him replaced by former Spurs goalkeeper Marton Fulop - but the first thing he had to do was pick Huddlestone's thunderbolt out of the net.

Niko Kranjcar's ball over the top was held up by Defoe and he laid the ball back for Huddlestone to crash home. Gomes pulled off another stunning save to deny Michael Turner before the end.