Published: 13 September, 2015
By STEVE BARNETT   

Premier League
SUNDERLAND 0, SPURS 1

ERIC Dier has called on his Tottenham team-mates to build on the club’s first win of the season by taking advantage of the run of home games they now face.

Ryan Mason added the finishing touches to a fantastic team move, involving 15 passes, to earn Spurs a 1-0 victory at Sunderland this afternoon (Sunday).

Mauricio Pochettino's side now face Premier League games against Crystal Palace and Manchester City, a League Cup showdown against north London rivals Arsenal and a Europa League tie against FK Qarabag, all at White Hart Lane, before the end of the month.

"It was really important to get that first league win of the season," said Dier, who put in a man-of-the-match display in the heart of midfield. "We've been unlucky and made mistakes in our previous games, but it was great to get a clean sheet and a win today.

"It's really important that we now build on this win. We knew going into the game today that we've got a run of home games next, so we can roll into them off the back of this win and hopefully pick up a lot of points."

It took Spurs until the 82nd minute to break the deadlock at Sunderland as Harry Kane combined with substitute Erik Lamela before the Argentine forward's defence-splitting pass found Mason, who chipped the ball past Costel Pantilimon for his second Premier League goal.

It was a bitter blow for Dick Advocaat's team, who were the better of the two sides in the first half and were unlucky not to take the lead through former Spurs striker Jermain Defoe, who saw his shot come back off the post.

In the second half, Kane's woes in front of goal continued when he missed Mason's cross at the back post with the goal at his mercy.

The game looked to be heading for a draw until Mason finally broke the deadlock, injuring himself in the process and having to be replaced by Tom Carroll.

Before the game Tottenham revealed that they have released striker Emmanuel Adebayor from his contract at the club by mutual consent. The 31-year-old's deal with Spurs ran until the end of the season but he has not played for the club yet this term and was left out of both their Premier League and Europa League squads.

Adebayor said: "I can confirm that I have reached an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur to terminate my contract.

"I wish to thank the club and the fans for my time there and I wish them well for the forthcoming season."

SPURS: Lloris, Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Mason (Carroll, 85), Son Heung-Min (Townsend, 62), Alli (Lamela, 67), Chadli, Kane.
Substitutes not used: Vorm, Rose, Trippier, Winks.