Tottenham vs Sunderland LIVE
Spurs welcome an impressive Sunderland side to north London this afternoon for their first home game of 2026. After waving goodbye to a tough 2025 with a hard-fought win at Crystal Palace and then following it up with a dire 0-0 draw at Brentford, head coach Thomas Frank will be desperate to kick on and push his team up the table.
But the Black Cats will provide a stern test. Sunderland have enjoyed a stunning first half of the season and have a real chance of qualifying for Europe. Recently holding both Arsenal and Manchester City to draws, they will relish the chance to take a big scalp in the form of Spurs in north London. Sunderland sit five places and three points better off than their hosts in seventh.
Spurs will take hope from their recently improved defensive record of four clean sheets in six - matching Sunderland over their period - while their visitors have won just nine of their 29 points on the road. In fact, the Black Cats have failed to score in six of their nine top-flight away games. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Sam Tabuteau at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham vs Sunderland latest news
- GOAL! Brobbey drills home blistering equaliser
- GOAL! Davies taps home first of the season
- INJURY: Kudus forced off after 18 minutes
Sam Tabuteau at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
17:02 , Alex YoungA new year brings familiar issues for Spurs at home. They were better than they have been under Frank, but ultimately it is another home game without a win.
A disappointing afternoon.
It ends all square. Boos at full-time.
A fair result on the balance of play, but yet more frustrations for Frank & Co.
Full-time!
16:58 , Alex Young97min: It ends all square!
Tottenham 1-1 Sunderland
16:56 , Alex Young95min: Palhinha gets his head to Porro’s cross, but doesn’t get enough on it and the ball bounces wide!
That was the chance!
Tottenham 1-1 Sunderland
16:55 , Alex Young93min: A foul throw from Bergvall with his team-mates waiting in the penalty area.
That is frustrating for the hosts. The ball just slipped out of Bergvall’s hands.
Tottenham 1-1 Sunderland
16:50 , Alex Young91min: Into six added minutes.
Tottenham 1-1 Sunderland
16:49 , Alex Young88min: Spence and Scarlett replace Davies and Tel.
Tottenham 1-1 Sunderland
16:49 , Alex Young87min: Tel appears to have been wiped out by Mukiele, VAR check it but nothing given.
Tottenham 1-1 Sunderland
16:46 , Alex Young85min: Two more Spurs changes incoming.
Tottenham 1-1 Sunderland
16:46 , Alex Young84min: Brobbey holds up a cross and forces Vicario to tip it over for a corner.
Spurs are digging in.
Sam Tabuteau at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
16:45 , Alex YoungAlways felt like it was coming that goal. Spurs, for all that has been good about this performance, are pegged back. Hammer blow for Frank.
Sunderland want to go on and win this.
GOAL!
16:42 , Alex Young80min: Spurs were wobbling and Sunderland have the equaliser!
Brobbey drills home a blistering finish from inside the area after a neat one-two with Le Fee. Vicario had no chance!
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
16:37 , Alex Young76min: Porro think Brobbery has fouled him, but the referee and the linesman doesn’t agree. Porro gets up and Brobbery then does grab the defender.
So needless.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
16:34 , Alex Young72min: Double change for Spurs.
Odobert and Gray replaced by Palhinha and Bergvall.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
16:32 , Alex Young71min: Fantastic break from Porro from the corner, he drives towards and area and then dinks a great cross for Kolo Muani, but the striker cannot control the ball.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
16:31 , Alex Young70min: Mundle wins a corner off Porro.
Spurs have lost their momentum in the last few minutes. Sunderland’s is growing.
Corner is easily cleared.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
16:28 , Alex Young66min: Ballard comes on for Adingra. Sunderland will have a tactical shuffle then.
Sam Tabuteau at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
16:26 , Alex YoungSunderland have their tails up and Spurs need to be careful.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
16:26 , Alex Young64min: Adingra bends a shot from the edge of the box, which bounces three yards wide.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
16:23 , Alex Young61min: Richarlison doesn’t react quick enough in the box amid a goalmouth scrabble.
Spurs need a second.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
16:21 , Alex Young60min: Mundle replaces Cirkin.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
16:20 , Alex Young59min: Sunderland preparing their first change.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
16:17 , Alex Young56min: Huge, huge chance for Spurs to double their lead.
Richarlison is sent through on goal by Tel, down the right channel. Kolo Muani makes the run to the far post and Odobert is in the centre... but Richarlison delays the pass and allows Mukiele to get back and block the cross.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
16:16 , Alex Young54min: Really, really slack from Romero. A casual attempt at a backpass has nowhere near enough on it, allowing Brobbery to run onto it and almost score.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
16:14 , Alex Young52min: Up the other end, Van de Ven gets on the end of a Spurs corner, but it’s easy for the keeper.
Sam Tabuteau at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
16:14 , Alex YoungBen Davies is having quite the game on his return to the side. Excellent clearance to deny Sunderland just now.
Who would have thought he would be the man to restore order to this Spurs side.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
16:13 , Alex Young51min: Vicario saved by Davies when jumping for a cross and not claiming it.
Nervy start to the second half for Spurs.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
16:12 , Alex Young50min: And now Alderete gets booked for dragging Richarlison back.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
16:10 , Alex Young49min: Sunderland have come out of the second half in better shape.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
16:08 , Alex Young47min: Very cynical foul from former Spurs player Cirkin on Richarlison, dragging him back to earn himself a yellow card.
Second half
16:05 , Alex Young46min: ...and we’re back underway!
Frank will be very happy, as Sam reports. The formation change, and different faces in attack, have helped.
Players are coming back out.
That is just what Tottenham needed. They have been the better team and have the lead to show for it, with Ben Davies netting his first goal since December 2023.
Expect a reaction from Sunderland, but Frank will be pleased. Nothing to boo about here.
Half-time!
15:50 , Alex Young49min: And that’s your lot for the first half.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
15:49 , Alex Young48min: Sunderland struggling to get Brobbery into the game at all.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
15:46 , Alex Young46min: We are into those three added minutes.
Sam Tabuteau at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
15:46 , Alex YoungA much better half this from Tottenham. Frontline have looked sharp, with Tel, in particular, impressing. Frank will be happy with what he has seen as we head into three minutes of added time.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
15:45 , Alex Young43min: Kolo Muani tees up Richarlison for a scissor-kick at goal, but he gets the connection all wrong and shins it wide.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
15:42 , Alex Young40min: More great movement from Tel to keep an attack alive and recycle possession.
The ball eventually falls to Odobert in the No10 position, but he is crowded out.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
15:39 , Alex Young37min: Hume has a pop from the edge of the area, which had Vicario worried but it was always rising.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
15:37 , Alex Young35min: Odobert lashes at a half-volley at the edge of the area after Kolo Muani wins a knock down.
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland
15:37 , Alex Young34min: Right, what do Spurs have now. This is the best they have played in some time, must keep the pressure up.
Sam Tabuteau at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
15:35 , Alex YoungSpurs have the goal they have been threatening and it is Ben Davies of all people. A huge cheer from the home fans.
GOAL!
15:33 , Alex Young29min: It’s been coming! And it’s Davies of all people!
Corner is sent to the back post, Romero sets it back to Van de Ven and Davies is there to tap it home.
Tottenham 0-0 Sunderland
15:28 , Alex Young26min: Another great chance for Spurs as Richarlison, Oobert and then Tel combine for the latter to bend a shot narrowly wide of the far post.
Tel has started well.
Tottenham 0-0 Sunderland
15:26 , Alex Young24min: Very sloppy/cynical tackle from Tel on Mayenda to stop a Sunderland counter.
Lucky to avoid a booking.
Tottenham 0-0 Sunderland
15:23 , Alex Young21min: Tel is now on the left, it seems, with Kolo Muani on the right.
Tottenham 0-0 Sunderland
15:20 , Alex Young18min: Kolo Muani is on. Kudus is off. That’s a blow.
Sam Tabuteau at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
15:18 , Alex YoungMohammed Kudus is down here and Kolo Muani is being readied. The last thing Frank needed, especially after Brennan Johnson's departure
Tottenham 0-0 Sunderland
15:18 , Alex Young16min: Concern for Spurs here as Kudus is down and looks in some pain.
Tottenham 0-0 Sunderland
15:16 , Alex Young14min: Corner comes in, and is cleared.
Tottenham 0-0 Sunderland
15:15 , Alex Young13min: Stunning cross from Porro to seemingly put it on a plate for Richarlison at the back post, but an even better headed clearance from Mukiele to force a corner.
Sam Tabuteau at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
15:13 , Alex YoungSpurs have matched the total number of shots on target they managed against Brentford. That says more about their performance against the Bees than it does about the opening exchanges here.
Tottenham 0-0 Sunderland
15:13 , Alex Young10min: A few long throws from Davies have unsettled Sunderland in the penalty area. Spurs not yet making the most of their superior possession.
Richarlison the latest to snatch at a shot.
Tottenham 0-0 Sunderland
15:10 , Alex Young8min: Richarlison is about 15 yards offside but still runs through and tries to round the keeper.
Sam Tabuteau at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
15:09 , Alex YoungSpurs have played with intent in the opening stages. A new look frontline has brought with it some fresh impetus it seems.
Tottenham 0-0 Sunderland
15:08 , Alex Young6min: Sunderland’s press is keep Spurs relatively contained so far, but a nice interchange between Porro and Odobert sees the hosts break and almost create an opening.
Tottenham 0-0 Sunderland
15:05 , Alex Young4min: A first touch for Davies as he mops up a Mukiele long ball forward. Spurs with the early possession.
Tottenham 0-0 Sunderland
15:04 , Alex Young2min: Tel with a first shot on target, from 25 yards. No trouble for the keeper.
Sam Tabuteau at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
15:02 , Alex YoungIt looks as if it is Odobert in the 10 with Tel on the left and Kudus on the right. Gray pushing high in the press as well.
Kick-off!
15:00 , Alex Young1min: We are underway.
Here come the teams.
Match odds
14:56 , Alex YoungSpurs have won two of nine home games in the Premier League this season.
Sunderland have won two of nine away games in the Premier League this season.
The bookies are backing a Spurs win.
- Tottenham to win: 5/6
- Draw: 15/8
- Sunderland to win: 11/4
(Odds via Betfair, subject to change.)
Sam Tabuteau at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
14:48 , Alex YoungLucas Bergvall toying with the ball on the touchline before he heads for the changing rooms. On the bench today, he definitely looks ready to make an impact if called upon.
Final preparations from both teams now.
It is a big boost to see Bergvall fit enough for the bench, while Simons will return from suspension against Bournemouth in midweek.
Tel deserves another chance after being afforded just three Premier League starts. His last start came in October.
Thomas Frank on Sunderland
14:25 , Alex Young“We know that they will run hard, but we have solutions for that, and hopefully we succeed with that.
“You never know what you're going to face, but it's a team has got defensive solidity and mental focus. But it’s also a team that, over the 90 minutes, if we play with top focus and that intensity, I'm confident that we get three points.”
Sam Tabuteau at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
14:19 , Alex YoungHere he is in sound and colour.
"Thomas Frank has made some interesting calls for his starting line-up."
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) January 4, 2026
Here's @tabuteauS in north London.#THFC pic.twitter.com/UioiPLkY0H
Sam Tabuteau checks in
14:02 , Alex YoungThomas Frank needs to make a statement this afternoon, and he has certainly made a few bold decisions with his starting line-up.
Ben Davies comes into defence for his first start of the season, while it looks like Mohammed Kudus or Mathys Tel will be in the 10 as Frank remodels his frontline after a turgid display against Brentford.
There is also the potential that Frank opts for a 4-2-2-2, with Tel playing off Richarlison. Plenty of questions to be answered.
Two changes for Spurs as Davies makes his first start of the season, and Tel comes in for Palhinha.
There is still no Bergvall, but exciting youngster Williams-Barnett is on the bench.
Sunderland are unchanged.
Confirmed team news in full
13:53 , Alex YoungTottenham XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Davies, Bentancur, Gray, Odobert, Kudus, Tel, Richarlison
Subs: Kinsky, Dragușin, Danso, Spence, Palhinha, Bergvall, Williams-Barnet, Kolo Muani, Scarlett
Sunderland XI: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Cirkin, Xhaka, Geertruida, Mayenda, Le Fee, Adingra, Brobbey
Subs: Patterson, Ballard, Hjelde, Neil, Rigg, O'Nien, Jones, Mundle, Tuterov
Sunderland XI
13:46 , Alex Young...and the visitors!
RLB's XI to take on Spurs! 👊#TOTSUN pic.twitter.com/27hgo3tamm
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) January 4, 2026
Tottenham XI
13:46 , Alex YoungHere’s how the hosts look.
Up the Spurs! ✊
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 4, 2026
🔢 @krakenfx pic.twitter.com/Z9qoy13f3m
Tottenham an 'exciting challenge' for Sunderland
13:39 , Alex YoungRegis Le Bris is relishing a "tough challenge" against Tottenham.
"They are a tough challenge, in a great place with a great stadium. So another exciting challenge for the squad," the Sunderland boss said.
"It will be important to recover quickly, but they played the same time so they won't have the advantage. Reset, recover properly and go again."
Asked about Tottenham boss Thomas Frank and his style of play, Le Bris added: "I know he's a great manager because you can't be at that level for a long period of time if you're not a good manager.
"They have many good players, are well-organised. Probably a bit inconsistent, sometimes high, sometimes low.
"We'll see how they'll be but for us the main question is our identity and the way we can play. We can't wait or expect gifts from the opponent so let's focus on us."
Le Bris also provided an update on striker Brian Brobbey, who came off in the second half of the City game, adding: "He was a bit tight and at the minute it's not serious."
Team news to come in 15 minutes.
Johnson gone ole ole
13:17 , Alex YoungOne player who won’t be playing today is Brennan Johnson, who has joined Crystal Palace in a deal worth around £35million.
From scoring the goal which sealed Spurs’ first trophy in 17 years, to being sold for a loss seven months later. He will make his debut for the Eagles today at Newcastle.
Frank not fazed by Tottenham atmosphere
13:09 , Alex YoungThomas Frank is not concerned about the atmosphere around Tottenham heading into today’s crunch match at home to Sunderland.
Frank was booed by sections of the travelling Spurs support upon his return to Brentford on New Year’s Day, as his side mustered just two shots on target in a dreary, yet emotional reunion.
The rising dissent from the stands, with supporters also heard chanting ‘boring, boring Tottenham’, is not something Frank is worrying himself with, though.
His focus is on delivering a performance against Sunderland worthy of the admission fee alone, with taunts of ‘we want our money back’, another popular jibe from the Spurs supporters on a bitterly cold evening in west London.
“There are a lot of other things to worry about in life that are much more important,” Frank said in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“What I’m focusing on is to make sure that we perform in the best possible way. All my focus is on that.”
Some afternoon in north London.
Score predictions
12:58 , Alex YoungAfter two difficult London derbies on the road, Thomas Frank’s side return to home comforts for their second game of 2026 and will be keen to put on a performance in front of their own supporters.
Sunderland put in a huge effort against Man City and that could work to Spurs’ favour.
Tottenham to win, 2-0.
Early Sunderland team news
12:50 , Alex YoungFor Sunderland, Regis Le Bris is missing six players due to AFCON. Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi, Reinildo Mandava, Arthur Masuaku, Bertrand Traore and Habib Diarra are still away.
However, star centre-back and talisman Dan Ballard could return after missing the draw with Man City on New Year’s Day.
Brian Brobbey was taken off during that game with cramp, but should be fine to place today.
Early Tottenham team news
12:43 , Alex YoungDominic Solanke has returned to training, but this game is likely to come too soon for a return to action.
Xavi Simons serves the final game of his suspension and Lucas Bergvall is a doubt after missing the goalless draw against Brentford. Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma are both away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Richarlison, Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso, Pedro Porro and Rodrigo Bentancur all avoided yellow cards against the Bees, so are now free from the threat of an immediate ban.
Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Destiny Udogie remain sidelined for Spurs.
How to watch Tottenham vs Sunderland
12:33 , Alex YoungTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports Football, with coverage starting at 2pm GMT ahead of a 3pm kick-off.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app and website.
Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights from 5.15pm with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10.30pm.
Tottenham vs Sunderland live
12:32 , Alex YoungHello and welcome to the London Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Premier League clash between Tottenham and Sunderland.
It’s a first home game of 2026 for Spurs and one which Thomas Frank may feel like he needs to win, with Spurs kicking off the new year languishing in the bottom half of the table.
Sunderland, meanwhile, are flying high and have a real chance of qualifying for Europe this season.
Kick-off is at 3pm. Stick with us.
