Sunderland are up and running under the management of Howard Wilkinson after following up the shock Worthington Cup win at Arsenal in midweek with a Premiership victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
A first goal of the season by Kevin Phillips on the hour was followed two minutes later by Tore Andre Flo putting the game beyond the reach of a disappointing Spurs outfit.
The Black Cats moved out of the Premiership drop zone on the strength of their best league win of the season to boost WilkinsonÂ’s fledgling regime.
Spurs looked to the class of skipper Teddy Sheringham for inspiration but there were few close calls for third-choice goalkeeper Jurgen Macho such was the ineffectiveness of the visitors attack.
In contrast Kasey Keller made an incredible save in the sixth minute to prevent Chris Perry from scoring an extraordinary own goal, the goalkeeper somehow keeping the ball out at the second attempt.
Just before half time Phillips, released by Gavin McCann, missed a great chance to break his duck but after going wide of Keller, he allowed Perry to block his goalbound attempt.
Simon Davies missed a great chance to give Spurs a 55th minute lead when set up by Sheringham only to blaze wide and how the visitors were made to suffer.
Debutant Michael Proctor latched on to a clearance from Michael GrayÂ’s corner to feed his captain who centred for Phillips to head home.
Two minutes later Phillips turned provider and Flo held off Perry to close in and glide the ball between the legs of the advancing Keller.
Kevin Kilbane could have added a third for the Black Cats, but the quickfire double were more than enough to condemn Spurs to defeat