Sunderland striker Darren Bent missed a penalty on his return to White Hart Lane as Tottenham secured victory through goals from Robbie Keane and Tom Huddlestone. Bent had the chance to level for the visitors against the side he left in controversial circumstances last summer but Heurelho Gomes saved his spot-kick, a crucial moment in the Barclays Premier League game as Steve Bruce’s men were gaining momentum.

Instead, Huddlestone grabbed his third of the season with an effort that crashed in off the crossbar, doubling the lead after Keane’s early strike. (more…)

Ten-man Sunderland came from two goals down at the Stadium of Light to snatch a deserved draw and deny West Ham a first Premier League win since the opening day of the season. Things looked bleak for the hosts when goals from Guillermo Franco - his first for the club - and the impressive Carlton Cole put the Hammers two up. But Andy Reid’s superb free-kick gave them hope and, after Kenwyne Jones had seen red in first-half stoppage time, Kieran Richardson tapped home a cross from the returning Darren Bent to equalise.

West Ham also finished the game a man light after Radoslav Kovac was sent off late on. (more…)

Can’t get any more controversial than this.  The only goal of the game, a blow up beach ball rolling across Pepe Reina’s goal and the referee allowing it to stand when the rules state it should be a drop ball.
Very interested to see what people say about this one.

The England hitman was thought to be heading to Tottenham after he spurned Sunderland approaches.

But Kop boss Rafa Benitez has the 28-year-old striker on his radar and has asked to be kept informed with Liverpool currently on tour in Thailand. Spurs and Fulham had looked set to fight it out for the 6ft 7in star with Portsmouth boss Paul Hart resigned to losing him. (more…)

It’s only been a year since Ol’ Arry Redknapp got his man to head down to Portsmouth, but times have changed significantly down South over the last 12 months, so much so that new Sunderland head coach Steve Bruce has seen his 12 Million Pound offer for Peter Crouch accepted.

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Newly minted Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has captured the signature of England U-21 International Fraizer Campbell after going back to his old club Manchester United for his first signing at the club.

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American owner Ellis Short and Chairman Niall Quinn have announced Sunderland putting pen to paper with Steve Bruce on a three year deal believed to be in the 60,000 Pound a week area.  On the backside of the deal Wigan is alleged to have agreed to slightly less than 3 Million Pound in compensation over the loss of the entire coaching staff.

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This is Ellis Short. He is from Texas and is very, very rich. It was announced today that Ellis Short raised his 30% stake in Sunderland to outright ownership, taking full control of the club. This makes Sunderland the fourth American owned club in England (Man United, Liverpool and Aston Villa). Add in Stan Kroenke’s stake in Arsenal, and there is a lot of action with American owners of EPL clubs.

[Sky]