Chopra leaves it late

New signing makes it dream Premier League return

By Chris Harvey   Last updated: 11th August 2007

Sunderland Richardson

Ouch: Richardson feels the force

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Sunderland's new signing Michael Chopra grabbed an injury time winner to sink Spurs.

Chopra, introduced from the bench as a 71st minute replacement for Anthony Stokes, controlled Ross Wallace's right wing cross before slotting beyond Paul Robinson.

The £5million man had hardly had a sight of goal since his introduction but he was on hand to score the winner to send a 44,000 Stadium of Light crowd home happy.

It was a rich reward for the way in which Roy Keane's men had gone about their return to the top-flight with Dickson Etuhu also having had a match-winning chance moments earlier.

In contrast Spurs' multi-million pound strikeforce appeared toothless and Dimitar Berbatov was shackled superbly by Paul McShane throughout.

Berbatov had a half-hearted penalty appeal turned down in the first half and lofted a free-kick over the bar in the second but otherwise the chances fell Sunderland's way.

Craig Gordon, one of four summer signings named in Keane's starting line-up, could hardly have wished for a more low-key start to life as Britain's most expensive goalkeeper.

Progress

The Black Cats had started confidently with Carlos Edwards making good early progress down the right flank.

Spurs, whose boss Martin Jol started with £16.5million man Darren Bent on the bench, had their first chance in the 11th minute when Jermaine Jenas shot wide.

Sunderland were looking bright going forward and Stokes was narrowly caught offside in the 14th minute when he sought to get on the end of a Wallace cross.

At the other end, Malbranque sent a cross into the home box which a stretching Keane just failed to reach at the far post.

Keane had the first on-target effort of the afternoon in the 25th minute when he drilled a lot shot which Gordon gathered with ease.

But the game belatedly sprang to life in the final seven minutes of the half beginning with Daryl Murphy spurning a golden chance to give the home side the lead.

Spurs defender Paul Stalteri failed to deal with a Ross Wallace cross and the ball fell invitingly for Murphy, whose angle was narrowed by the advancing Robinson who saved his low shot well.

Two minutes later Berbatov sprang the Sunderland offside trap and rounded the onrushing Gordon before McShane got in with a crucial interception despite Spurs' appeals for a penalty.

Roared

Referee Alan Wiley waved away penalty claims and the home side roared straight to the other end of the pitch where Edwards set up Etuhu to sweep a low shot inches wide.

Lacking spark in front of goal, it was no surprise to see Jol finally introduce Bent in the 58th minute in place of Tainio, but still the Black Cats' defence held firm.

It spoke volumes that the visitors' best second half chance came via a set-piece on the edge of the Sunderland box, which Berbatov lofted inches over the bar.

Berbatov was plainly unhappy to be replaced by Jermain Defoe in the 77th minute, but the Bulgarian could have no complaints about the way he had been handled by McShane.

Sunderland continued pressing and Etuhu almost won it in the final minute when poor defending presented him with a point-blank chance which Robinson superbly palmed away.

But Keane's men were not done yet and when Wallace crossed deep again Chopra turned and pounced to send the Stadium of Light wild with his side's last touch of the match.