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Mousa Dembele is congratulated after his cross went in off John O'Shea. Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

John O'Shea own goal gifts Spurs win after Hugo Lloris strikes again

Andre Villas Boas has guided Tottenham to the brink of the Champions League spots.

SPURS ARE WITHIN two points of the Champions League places after a 2-1 away win over Sunderland.

A goal from Paulinho and an unfortunate own goal by John O’Shea condemned the Black Cats to their 11th defeat of the season.

It had all looked so bright for Gus Poyet’s men after Adam Johnson put them in front but Spurs kept their composure and controlled midfield thanks to Paulinho and Mousa Dembele. Johnson slammed home the opener for Sunderland after Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris flapped at a cross.

Six minutes after Johnson’s 37th minute strike and Tottenham were level. Nacer Chadli squared for the Paulinho and the Brazilian poked home.

At the beginning of the second-half, Dembele advanced up the left flank and pulled back a ball that deflected off O’Shea and eluded the wrong-footed Vito Mannone.

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The home fans urged Sunderland on but it was the visitors that came closest to adding to the scoresheet. Striker Jermaine Defoe hit the woodwork twice and Spurs ended on the front-foot as Andros Townsend drew a late save from Mannone.

Spurs are now in sixth place, on 27 points, while Sunderland remain bottom, on eight points.

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