Cisse heads in to seal first win of 2008-09.

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Sunderland 2

23 August 2008

Djibril Cisse scored on his Black Cats debut to give Sunderland their first win of the 2008-09 season.

Roy Keane's side turned in an excellent performance against a Spurs side playing without striker Dimitar Berbatov, who moved to Manchester United days later.

Steed Malbranque went closest for the Black Cats in the first half when his low 25-yard drive crashed against the post with Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes beaten.

The visitors took the lead early in the second half. The ball was only half-cleared by the Spurs defence, and Kieran Richardson rifled a 25-yard drive just inside the far post, leaving Gomes with no chance.

Spurs looked to have earned themselves a point 15 minutes from time; Jermaine Jenas slotting home after Luka Modric had twice seen his efforts saved by Gordon.

Sunderland continued to play with intensity and fluidity, though, and grabbed a winner seven minutes from time. Daryl Murphy crossed for the Frenchman to power a header beyond the reach of Gomes and secure the first of three away wins for the Black Cats during the 08-09 campaign.

Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Higginbotham, Collins, Malbranque, Whitehead, Reid (Miller, 87), Richardson, (Cisse, 65), Diouf, Murphy.

Subs not used: Stokes, Leadbitter, Healy, Ward, Chopra.