A one-sided game yielded only one goal, as a dominant Tottenham Hotspur beat dogged Sunderland 1-0 at White Hart Lane today (September 18).

Tottenham banged on the visitors’ door constantly for almost an hour, and finally broke it down when former Chelsea defender Papy Djilododji completely fluffed clearing Dele Alli’s knockdown from a Kyle Walker cross, allowing Harry Kane to smash home from six yards.

Spurs will be sweating on the England forward’s fitness however, as he was forced off on a stretcher holding his right knee late on.

They are in the middle of what will become a familiarly busy schedule; coming off the back of Champions League disappointment at Wembley last Wednesday, they have another cup game coming up midweek against Gillingham, before playing Middlesbrough next Saturday.

For this reason, Ben Davies was on the bench with Jan Vertonghen left back and Eric Dier in defence, freeing up space for Moussa Sissoko to start for the first time.

Son Heung-Min also kept his starting place, and was a constant threat cutting in from the left. He had Jason Denayer – a last-minute starter after Patrick Van Aanholt dropped out – on toast throughout the game.

However, another man who started was Jordan Pickford, in goal for Sunderland ahead of new signing Mika, and who made a series of excellent saves to deny Spurs what should have been a comfortable lead in the first half.

On eight minutes he made his first stop, a reflex block after Kane met a low Son cross five yards out.

By the 15 minute mark, he had racked up four more saves as the hosts enjoyed 86 per cent possession.

Sunderland were always dangerous on the counter though, with Jermain Defoe – roundly cheered before the game for his many Tottenham goals and exploits – holding off Toby Alderweireld after a long ball, and shooting at Hugo Lloris from a tight angle.

Then, after Son struck the base of the near post having turned Denayer inside out, the visitors had the best chance of the first half two minutes before the break.

The ball was sloppily given away in the Spurs box, Adnan Januzaj showed good feet and awareness before pulling back to the other Spurs alumnus, Steven Pienaar.

The South African did not score in 10 Spurs league appearances, and could not net from six yards, Walker doing brilliantly to get back and clear off the line.

But on the whole Spurs were totally dominant, and began the second half even more determined, with Son hitting the side netting before Kane finally took his chance.

The hosts were the only team who looked like they could score another goal with substitute Erik Lamela coming close twice.

Sunderland meanwhile could offer nothing up front in the second 45, and finished with 10 men as Januzaj was sent off for two bookings.

Spurs will have to be deadlier against better opponents, but three points – and third in the league – means no-one at White Hart Lane will complain.