Mason keeps his cool to net timely winner for Tottenham
WITH the standard of debuts already rather high over the weekend, a sense of excitement accompanied the appearance of some fresh new faces here yesterday. There was Heung-min Son, the most expensive Asian player in history who Mauricio Pochettino clearly hoped would assist Harry Kane in rediscovering his predatory prowess. And Fabio Borini, while not making his first appearance in a Sunderland shirt, was in his first as a full-time employee. It was to these more creative players that two managers, desperately in need of a first win of the season, turned for inspiration. But the Son did not exactly shine at The Stadium Of Light and nor, in fairness to the South Korean, did too many others charged with the task of scoring top-flight goals. In the end it fell to Ryan Mason to break the stalemate, a midfielder who earned a first England cap last season building on a fine campaign with an 82nd-minute winner. Mason was as courageous as he was creative in the way he finished the move, racing onto a super pass from Erik Lamela before lifting the ball over the towering, rapidly advancing figure of Costel Pantilimon. That he maintained his composure when it was quite clear he was about to be clattered was to his credit. As was his attempt to celebrate the goal, adrenalin pumping, only to then collapse to the ground with a knee injury. Pochettino says Mason will have a scan today but the fact that he left the field on a stretcher is not encouraging. Tottenham’s manager could do with Mason being lucky because the 24-year-old midfielder was central to the more positive aspects of a disappointing Spurs display, bereft of ideas. In the first half Kane, still without a goal for them this season, enjoyed just one touch of the ball in the penalty area. He seemed to be off his game and off the pace too. Had he anticipated a fine delivery from Dele Alli he would have been presented with the simplest of tap-ins after the break. As it was the ball rolled across Sunderland’s six-yard box unchallenged. But Spurs finished the game the stronger, their goal the product of a final 20-minute spell when they enjoyed more than 70 per cent of the ball. By then Sunderland had run out of gas, having had the better of the chances but ultimately left to reflect with some frustration on the opportunities they squandered including twice hitting the woodwork. Afterwards Dick Advocaat spoke with some optimism about the team now emerging at his club. But he has predicted a campaign dominated once again by the threat of relegation. Jeremain Lens looks a decent signing and on occasions Ola Toivonen combined well with Defoe. Whether that is enough to climb off the bottom of the table remains to be seen. They were certainly the better of two stuttering teams in the opening 45 minutes. Tottenham’s best chance probably fell to Son, who contrived to miss a ball played into his path by Nacer
Chadli.
SUNDERLAND (4-2-3
1): Pantilimon 6; Jones 6, O’Shea 6.5, Kaboul 6.5, Van Aanholt 6; Gomez 6 (Cattermole 74, 6) M’Vila 7; Lens 6.5, Tolvonen 6 (Rodwell 81). Borini 5.5 (Watmore 74, 5.5); Defoe 6.
Unused subs: Mannone, Larsson, Graham, Coater. Booked: Jones, Borini
TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1): Lloris 6; Walker 6, Alderweireld 6, Vertonghen 6.5, Davies 6; Dier 6, Mason 8 (Carroll 85); Chadli 6, Alli 7 (Lamela 67, 7); Son 5.5 (Townsend
62, 6); Kane 5.
Unused subs: Vorm, Rose, Trippier, Winks. Booked: Vertonghen. Scorer: Mason 82. Referee: C Pawson 7.