LONDON: The two ever-turbulent clubs of the north-east upset two title chasers as Sunderland and Newcastle defeated Manchester City and Tottenham.

Guy Poyet saw his Sunderland, against City, run up their third successive home win since he took over from Paolo Di Canio. Midfielder Phil Barsley scored the first-half goal which condemned City to their fourth defeat of the season.

City dominated all the second half but Sunderland keeper Vito Mannone was magnificent.

Similarly, Newcastle’s Dutchman Tim Krul was man of the match at Tottenham where the story was the same. Loic Remy scored in the first half and Newcastle defied intense pressure throughout the second half.

Krul made 14 saves, the most by any keeper in the Premier League this season. Similarly, Spurs’ total of 14 shots on target without a goal is the most by any team for the past seven years.

Spurs omitted goalkeeper Hugo Lloris after the controversy over his head injury last week. Tottenham came in for heavy criticism from FIFA, FIFPro and medical organisations for letting Lloris carry on playing against Everton after having been briefly knocked unconscious.

Gerhard Tremmel enjoyed a dramatic first Premier appearance of the season. Swansea went 2-0 down to Stoke, hit back to lead but then had to settle for a 3-3 draw after he was beaten by a Charlie Adams penalty in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Tremmel had played five previous games in League and Europa Cups and has been on the winning side only once. Robert Huth, in the thick of the action at both ends, ended the match with his third yellow card of the season.

 

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