Harry Kane scored the only goal of the game as Sunderland were made to pay for Papy Djilobodji’s second half blunder on Sunday.

Neither side created much in the way of meaningful chances in the first half as David Moyes’ side were content to sit back and allow Spurs the time and space to dictate play at White Hart Lane.

Former Bafana Bafana international Steven Pienaar squandered the best chance of the opening 45 minutes after some fine play by Sunderland loanee Adnan Januzaj teed up Pienaar, who failed to beat the defender on the line from six yards out.

It took a lapse in concentration from Djilobodji in the 59th minute to allow Spurs to take the lead as Kane made it two goals in two matches when he struck home from inside the six-yard box. The goal was Kane’s first at home since March.

Dele Alli was denied in the 72nd minute after a mazy run ended with a well-placed shot that Jordan Pickford palmed away from danger. Eric Dier then failed to find the target from the ensuing corner as Sunderland’s poor set-piece play found them at sixes and sevens once again.

Erik Lamela replaced Moussa Dembele in the 74th minute as the Londoners went in search of a second goal that would put the result beyond doubt. Dier pulled up a minute later and was replaced by Ben Davies as the tempo of the match was reduced to a training fixture.

Lamela was denied in the 81st minute after Kane sent him clear but his curled effort deflected wide off Djilobodji as it appeared to be heading towards the far corner.

Lamela was in the thick of things five minutes later as Pickford denied his well-hit effort from the edge of the area.

Kane was withdrawn with four minutes to play after he appeared to twist his ankle during a tackle and fans of the club will be worried by the sight of their talisman hobbling off the field before being taken away on a stretcher for further medical attention.

Januzaj was sent off as injury time approach after picking up a second yellow for a nasty tackle on Davies. The on-loan Manchester United wing now facing a one-game ban after his first yellow was for dissent at a foul not being awarded to his side.

Vincent Jannsen, on for Kane, failed to punish the Black Cats as he fired high and wide into the stands with Lamela begging for the ball with Sunderland defenders scrambling to get back as the match opened up with two injury time minutes to play.

Son tested Pickford with the last kick of the game as Spurs battled for the points against the in-form goalkeeper.