Hello all! The Premier League has returned after last week's international break, and right here, we're focusing on this afternoon's match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur up in the North-East of England.

Traditionally, this is not the kindest of fixtures for the Black Cats as they have not earned a victory in their last eight matches against Spurs in the top flight. Gus Poyet, who played for Tottenham during his career, will be hoping to put that right today.

So, let's begin with today's all-important team news. First up is the home side...

SUNDERLAND XI: Mannone; Vergini, O'Shea, Van Aanholt, Brown; Cattermole; Larsson, Rodwell, Johnson, Alvarez; Wickham

SUNDERLAND SUBS: Pantilimon, Jones, Bridcutt, Gomez, Giaccherini, Buckley, Altidore

The big news for the Black Cats is that summer signing Ricky Alvarez has been given his debut after joining the club from Inter Milan on loan in the transfer window. The Argentine has come into the starting lineup for Steven Fletcher, who is not included in the squad today. Other than Alvarez's arrival, Poyet is fielding the same team who lost 1-0 to Queens Park Rangers before the international break.

Now for the visiting side...

TOTTENHAM XI:Lloris; Dier, Kaboul, Chiriches, Rose; Dembele, Capoue; Lamela, Eriksen, Chadli; Adebayor

TOTTENHAM SUBS: Vorm, Fazio, Naughton, Lennon, Stambouli, Townsend, Kane

Mauricio Pochettino has made two changes to the side that lost to Liverpool at White Hart Lane last month. The interesting news is that Jan Vertonghen is missing from the squad entirely, but at the moment it is unknown whether the defender is injured. Nabil Bentaleb has also dropped out, leaving Mousa Dembele to come into midfield, while Vlad Chiriches is lined up at the back.

As expected, Roberto Soldado has not made the squad due to a troublesome neck injury, but Eric Dier has shaken off a niggle to continue at right-back for the North London outfit. Summer signing Federico Fazio has not been placed in the starting lineup, but could make his Spurs debut this afternoon after being named on the bench - likewise Benjamin Stambouli.

Some thought that young Harry Kane may challenge Emmanuel Adebayor for a place up front today after scoring two goals for the England Under-21 side this week, but the forward will have to settle for a place on the bench.

For Sunderland, it's a big day for Alvarez as he's given his first start since arriving on Wearside, while Connor Wickham has been restored to that central forward role, but deadline-day signing Sebastian Coates, who joined the club from Liverpool on a season-long loan last Monday, has not made the squad.

The Stadium of Light is the setting for today's encounter and the home fans will be keeping their fingers crossed for a victory today - Sunderland's first of the campaign.

PITCH PERFECT! @StadiumOfLight looking good ahead of today's game #SUNTOT pic.twitter.com/QjyBkocWy5 — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) September 13, 2014

As you're well aware, the Black Cats performed a miracle last season by keeping themselves in the top flight after looking doomed for the majority of the campaign. With that in mind, survival is the main objective for Sunderland this season, and despite failing to win any of their first three league games, it hasn't been completely dire for the club.

They staged a late comeback to secure a 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion on the opening day of the season last month and held former champions Manchester United to a 1-1 draw the following weekend. However, after losing to QPR prior to the international break, you would think that a win or a draw is very much needed to prevent a run of defeats.

In contrast, Tottenham stormed out of the blocks with victories over West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers, but they came unstuck against Liverpool by allowing three goals to get shipped past them on home turf. New manager Mauricio Pochettino appears to be well liked at the club and given what he did with Southampton last season, you would back the Argentine to get the most out of the players at his disposal.

There were suggestions that Spurs should have focused on strengthening their attacking options in the summer transfer window, but Pochettino appears to be content with what he has. Erik Lamela, who struggled to make an impact following his record transfer last season due to lack of game time and injuries, has been impressive in these early stages of the campaign. The 22-year-old fell away slightly against Liverpool, but Pochettino will be hoping that he can influence play today.

With around 25 minutes until kickoff, why not get the views of Sports Mole's sofa team as they preview this afternoon's encounter in the video below:

There appears to be an explanation as to why Jan Vertonghen has dropped out of the Tottenham squad today - according to reports on Twitter, the Belgium international is suffering from a minor muscle injury. If that's the case, the defender is unlikely to face a long spell on the sidelines.

So, what is your prediction for today's match? If you take into account the last eight previous meetings between the sides, which weigh heavily in Tottenham's favour, you would expect Pochettino's side to come out on top. However, with Sunderland having the home crowd behind them and with both sides needing to bounce back from defeats, I'd say a 1-1 draw is a fair prediction.

Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has been speaking to Sky Sports News ahead of today's match. The Uruguayan simply put: "We're ready, we've got no excuses, we've trained well."

Right, the stadium is filling up as we approach kickoff on a sunny day in the North-East of England. The teams are lining up in the tunnel and will enter the pitch shortly.

The teams are out on the field. Can Sunderland get their first win on the board, or will Tottenham quieten rumours of a possible takeover by getting it right on the pitch this afternoon? We'll find out soon!

GAME ON! Tottenham get us underway, kicking from right to left...

CHANCE! Almost a flying start from the visitors as Eriksen threads the ball into the feet of Rose, who drives into the box from the left-hand side to take a shot at the near post, but it's pushed away by goalkeeper Mannone.

Wow, what a start to this game! Tottenham open their account at the Stadium of Light within the first two minutes of the clash. Emmanuel Adebayor took a shot at goal just from outfit the box in a central area. Mannone manages to push the ball away, buy Nacer Chadli is there to latch onto it and hammer the ball into the back of the net. Within a minute later, Sunderland equalise following a brilliant individual run from Adam Johnson, who dances past a number of players in the box to drive a low shot into the bottom corner of the net. (And breathe...)

SAVE! The tempo of this game is crazy! Tottenham go on the break after a cross from Wickham gets cut out at the other end, but Mannone saves his side from conceding by diving down to ground to make the save.

CHANCE! Adebayor almost gave Spurs their second after latching onto the ball, which was delivered over the top from Eriksen, but the striker fires straight at Mannone.

The crowd are clearly enjoying this game so far. It's been end to end within the first 10 minutes, with both sides creating numerous chances, but Sunderland have calmed play down a little bit by knocking the ball around in their own half.

Alvarez gets his first touches on the ball after a breathtaking start. The Argentine creates some link-up play with Cattermole, but the move gets broken up as Tottenham regain possession.

PENALTY CLAIM! Rose goes down after going shoulder to shoulder with Seb Larsson in the box from the left side, but referee Craig Pawson waves his penalty appeal away. Larsson isn't best pleased with his opponent's reaction and calls for the referee to book Rose, but the Tottenham player is unpunished.

Tottenham draw on their pace once again down the left as Lamela turns quickly to find Eriksen. Vergini gets a decent tackle in, but Tottenham continue to persist around the area.

At the other end, Sunderland get their first set piece after Dier and Adebayor tackle Johnson in their own half, but it comes to nothing. Shortly afterwards, the Black Cats get a corner, but Adebayor does his defensive duties well by heading the ball out of danger.

Despite both sides showing attacking intent, Tottenham have dominated 70% possession and look a lot more controlled when they have the ball. At the moment, Sunderland look a bit rushed and just need to compose themselves on the attack.

Chiriches gives a poor ball away to Rodwell, who could have gone on the charge, but the former Manchester City midfielder's pass is intercepted and Tottenham regain possession.

Larsson launches into Rose and catches his foot after getting on the wrong side of his opponent and could have been booked, but the referee opts to just give him a warning instead.

Dier's been getting forward numerous times in the early stages of this encounter, but Tottenham are currently struggling to get a shot away. The visitors get a corner, but Eriksen's delivery is headed away before Kaboul gets penalised for blocking Mannone in the box. The right call from the referee.

Larsson launches the ball up top searching for Wickham, but Kaboul reads the pass well and wins his battle against the Sunderland forward to stop him in his tracks and get possession for the visiting side.

Dier's ball in is touched in behind from Vergini to give Tottenham a corner. It's needless from the defender as it was going out anyway, but luckily for Sunderland, the corner comes to nothing for Tottenham.

Lamela has had some silky touches in the first half, but he is yet to really impose himself on the pitch. The 22-year-old gives the ball away after some link-up play with Eriksen on the edge of the box. Sunderland are so far keeping Tottenham at bay, but the visitors continue to press.

Capoue wins the ball but he catches Alvarez in the stomach on the follow-through, causing the referee to stop play. Sunderland's debutant is down on the floor momentarily, but is able to get to his feet and carry on.

Even Alvarez is coming back to defend against Tottenham's attack. Capoue storms into the box to collect the ball, but the pass is overhit and Mannone comes off his line and dives down to gather the ball in his arms.

PENALTY CLAIM!Alvarez wins the ball back from Eriksen and feeds the ball into Wickham's feet in the box. The forward continues his run, but Rose puts in a well-timed challenge to stop Wickham from taking a shot. Sunderland appeal for a penalty, but the referee rightly dismisses it.

OFF THE BAR! At the other end, Dembele unleashes a thundering strike, leaving Mannone rooted to the spot, but the ball doesn't dip enough and it clatters off the crossbar.

Kaboul is down after both he and Wickham jumped for the ball in Tottenham's half. The defender appears to have hurt his back, but after some treatment, is deemed fit to continue.

Wickham tries to put pressure on Kaboul in his own half, but the Tottenham defender once again has the better of the forward as he calmly gets his pass away.

Hand ball? Another potential penalty shout comes Tottenham's way as O'Shea appears to block a pass aiming for Adebayor with his arm. However, replays show that the ball hit the Sunderland player's torso. A good call from the referee.

Tottenham are continuing to put pressure on their opponents as the first half draws to a close, but Sunderland are doing enough to prevent the visitors from getting a shot on goal. I'm sure Poyet will be pleased to hear the half-time whistle.

So, it's all square at the break with both sides netting one goal apiece. Nacer Chadli got Tottenham off to a blistering start by scoring his third goal of the campaign within the first two minutes of the match. However, Adam Johnson scored his second of the season within seconds of the restart to draw level.

The scoreline may be equal, but you would struggle to find too many people watching this game who would deem the teams on equal par. Tottenham dominated play from the start by showing their attacking intent from the kickoff. Questions have been asked over Adebayor, but the Togolese forward has had an impressive spell at the Stadium of Light.

Despite Tottenham showing positive signs in attack, chances became hard to come by as the half went on. For Sunderland, they did well to respond immediately to conceding a goal, but the home side had to rely on their defensive duties for the majority of the half.

It hasn't been a poor debut for Alvarez, but the Argentina international has struggled to make much of an impact so far. That could largely be down to the fact that Sunderland haven't had the ball as much! Wickham is playing in his favoured central forward area, but at the moment, Kaboul is handling the forward well.

In the second half, Tottenham need to make the most of their possession by creating more scoring opportunities, while Sunderland need to get on the ball more in general and bring Alvarez and Wickham into play.

RESTART! Sunderland get the second half underway, kicking from left to right...

Tottenham immediately get possession and begin on the frontfoot. Will there be more of the same this half? Adebayor gets on the ball and hits a diagonal cross, searching for goalscorer Chadli, but Mannone is able to get there first.

Tottenham repeat their threatening start, but it's a scrappier goal this time around. Adebyaor plays out wide to Chadli, who drives the ball into the box, and after it ricochets off Brown, Eriksen simply needs to tap the ball into the back of the net.

Sunderland try to respond immediately once again as Wickham's shot gets blocked and goes out for a corner. The delivery comes in from Larsson, but Capoue is able to clear for the visitors.

After some pressure from Sunderland, play is broken up as Rodwell gets penalised for a high foot in the box after Kaboul dived down, leading with his head, in a bit to clear the ball.

Sunderland are looking lively as Johnson manages to fend off a number of yellow shirts to play the ball out wide to Alvarez, but his low cross into the box gets knocked away.

At the other end, Eriksen goes alone with a surging run into the box, but Cattermole puts in a well-timed tackle to halt Tottenham's attack.

PENALTY CLAIM! Dier gets forward again and manages to get into the box, but is brought down by Cattermole, who makes the tackle from behind Dier and just gets enough on the ball.

Alvarez opts to play the ball to Wickham on the right, who drives into space and tries to whip the ball into box, but his effort fails to reach any of his teammates.

BOOKING! Dier is the first player to be cautioned after a lunging tackle on Alvarez. The right-back gets nowhere near the ball and rightfully goes into the book.

Chadli continues to cause problems for Sunderland's defence as he uses quick feet to get past a number of players, but Brown eventually manages to get a foot in and clear the danger.

At the other end, Wickham drives into the centre of the final third from the right and manages to hold off a few yellow shirts before taking a shot with his left foot, but it's blocked.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Sunderland make a double change as Larsson and Alvarez make way for Buckley and Giaccherini.

Tottenham seem content to just knock the ball around and preserve their one-goal cushion at this stage. Sunderland have grown into the game as the half has gone on, and Poyet's positive substitutions show that they are trying to get something out of this game.

CHANCE! Johnson comes close to getting his second goal of the game by creating space for himself and unleashing a clean strike at goal, but it just bobbles wide.

SUBSTITUTION: Goalscorer Chadli comes off the field and is replaced by Stambouli, who is making his Tottenham debut.

Prior to the substitution, Lamela is denied a free kick on the edge of the box, which has made Pochettino furious on the sidelines! The 22-year-old is brought down by Cattermole and it looks as though Lamela actually ran into the Sunderland man, but Tottenham believe that they should have been awarded a free kick.

CHANCE! Lamela is involved again as he plays Adebayor into the box, but Mannone races off his line to scramble to the ball to prevent the striker from getting a shot at goal.

OFF THE BAR! Lamela is inches away from scoring his first Premier League goal! The Tottenham player shows quick feet on the edge of the area and launches a shot, but his effort bounces off the crossbar.

Chiriches puts in a great tackle to get Tottenham on the attack. The ball is eventually played into Adebayor's feet in the box, but the striker cannot control the ball and ends up falling to ground as the chance goes missing.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Tottenham make another change as Adebayor, who looks quite tired to be fair, comes off the pitch in place of Kane. Sunderland also make a change by bringing Rodwell off and replacing him with Gomez.

Sunderland win a corner to the roar of the home fans, and Johnson's delivery finds the head of Buckley, but none of the Sunderland players in the box can bring it down to feet to create a chance.

Dear oh dear, Harry Kane! It may have been his first touch of the game, and it's resulted in an own goal! Gomez wins a free kick for Sunderland just on the left edge of the box after being fouled by Capoue. He delivers the ball into the box and it bounces off Kane's thigh and into the right bottom corner of the net after Lloris failed to scramble in time clear.

BOOKING! Van Aanholt gets cautioned for dissent after the referee opts against awarding Sunderland with a free kick.

SUBSTITUTION: Tottenham make a late change as Lennon enters the field to replace Eriksen.

BOOKING! Vergini gets a yellow card for a shoving Stambouli. It's a frantic end to this match!

CHANCE! Will Buckley just squandered a chance to win the game! Van Aanholt laid the ball off to his Sunderland teammate, but his effort flew over the bar.

Sunderland are furious! Tottenham are rewarded a free kick just on the edge of the box after Rose dived following a challenge from Cattermole. This could be costly...

Lamela stands over the ball and tries to whip it into the back of the net, but it sky rockets! The Argentine should have done much better.

Tottenham get another opportunity with a free kick, but Lamela's delivery into the box is cleared by Van Aanholt with ease.

BOOKING! Oh dear, a cynical challenge from Brown as he takes out Lamela with a late lunge. Rightfully, the defender gets cautioned and becomes the fourth player to get a yellow card.

It's all over! Sunderland and Tottenham go home with a point, but Spurs will feel that they should have won the game. Nacer Chadli opened the scoring within the first two minutes, only for Adam Johnson to strike at the other end almost immediately. Christian Eriksen got on the scoresheet early in the second half and looked to have wrapped it up for Spurs before Harry Kane's own goal gifted Sunderland a point with around 10 minutes left to play. Thanks for joining me, and until next time, goodbye!