An early goal and a late leveler saw Sunderland and Tottenham draw 1-1 at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats struck early through Kieran Richardson on three minutes and that seemed as if it might be enough to ease Sunderland away from the relegation dogfight.

When Ledley King's 89th-minute challenge on Kenwyne Jones did not lead to a penalty for the home side, Tottenham broke quickly and Darren Bent's cross saw Robbie Keane stun the crowd with an equalising volley.

Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia told Sky Sports: "We got the goal early, and credit to Tottenham they forced the play and had a lot of possession.

"With four minutes to go we got a corner kick and we think we should just see the game out. "They did the complete opposite that we were telling them. It was so unprofessional it's frightening. I'll take the point but I definitely wanted three points today.

"The left-back was in the box for the corner kick. He should never have been there. I don't know why he is there.

"I am really disappointed. I felt we should have got three points."

Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp felt his side were worthy of their draw.

He told Sky Sports: "We had a bad start after we conceded a goal in the first couple of minutes and then we dominated for the rest of the game.

"In the end you start to think that a goal is not going to come. We missed chances and had all the possession.

"You think that today's not going to be your day. But Robbie popped up at the end and it was a good finish. It was no more than we deserved.

"It was a big point in the end. Seven points from three difficult games - we are in good form at the moment."