Consecutive Sundays have brought consecutive disappointments for Sunderland. Last week at West Ham they were 60 seconds away from leading the top flight for the first time since 1953 only to concede a last minute equaliser; yesterday they were bound for second place until Steffen Iversen gave Tottenham some hope with a 64th minute tap-in.
But Sunderland hung on and, ho hum, they have to settle for being third this morning on goals scored. Such is Premiership life.
But perhaps it is time for Peter Reid to receive some genuine recognition. Even George Graham's opinion may have been altered. He had called Sunderland "not exceptionally talented" in the preamble to the game but when the Wearsiders were two ahead mid-way through the first half courtesy of a pair of truly exceptional Niall Quinn goals, Graham was already shifting his position from bench to touchline.
"They didn't surprise me," he said. "They're well organised and they're committed. I was surprised by the way we were." Reid was rather more generous towards his team. "A lot has been said about the players' spirit, but we've shown quality today," he said.
He was right. Not since Newcastle came up under Kevin Keegan six years ago has a promoted side shown such self-confidence.
In his present role as England manager, Keegan was given a couple of worries by this match; first the injured foot that saw Kevin Phillips depart on 61 minutes and, second, the form of Sol Campbell who was culpable on both Sunderland goals.
Despite Campbell's hesitancy, Spurs actually began crisply and would have been two up themselves but for the excellence of Sunderland's keeper Thomas Sorensen who twice denied low thrusts from Iversen.
The first of those efforts came from a superb pass from David Ginola, but that was to be that Frenchman's only telling contribution.
Another Frenchman, Eric Roy, a 31-year-old snapped up for Stg£250,000 from Marseilles, has had a quiet emergence at Sunderland. Yet for a while Roy was the key midfield influence and it was his economical delivery that initiated the breakthrough.
Roy supplied Michael Gray and, although his centre was ordinary, Campbell's startlingly mistimed jump allowed the ball through to Quinn. He controlled it quickly before thumping a meaty volley beyond Ian Walker. "Schoolboy," was Graham's description of Campbell's defending.
Graham had less complaint about Quinn's second. The striker leapt between Campbell and Ramon Vega to control Gavin McCann's pass on his chest and strike a sumptuous volley all in one movement.
After the break the visitors carried a much greater threat and, after Vega's low cross was dispatched by Iversen, Spurs' chase assumed cohesion and confidence.
But Stephen Carr drove wide when well placed and, with 10 minutes remaining, Campbell completed a miserable personal afternoon by stabbing over from six yards. Sunderland understand; they know all about disappointment.
SUNDERLAND: Sorensen, Makin, Bould, Butler, Gray, Summerbee (Williams 87), Roy (Ball 72), McCann, Schwarz, Quinn, Phillips (Dichio 61). Subs Not Used: Marriott, Rae. Goals: Quinn 10, 21.
TOTTENHAM: Walker, Carr, Campbell, Vega, Taricco, Piercy (Perry 45), Freund, Leonhardsen (Sherwood 77), Clemence, Ginola (Dominguez 45), Iversen. Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Fox. Booked: Taricco, Campbell, Iversen. Goal: Iversen 63.
Referee: M Riley (Leeds).
