IF LAST week’s supine surrender on Teesside did not set alarm bells clanging in N17, the prematch news that Dimitar Berbatov had not made the 16 and this subsequent defeat certainly did. According to Tottenham Hotspur manager Juande Ramos the Bulgar was “not in the right frame of mind”, was “not focused enough” and his selection would “not be good for the dressing room”. Finally, this dreary saga seems to be lumbering towards its always inevitable denouement.

“He said he wasn’t in the right condition to play,” argued Ramos afterwards, before refusing to say whether Berbatov had been fined. “We’ll have a meeting with him on Sunday and we’ll see what happens there and whether he’s in a position to play in the future. If not, we’ll have to look at all the options.”

Right now, after a doughty Sunderland had craftily picked their pockets, Tottenham’s problems lie with those who do turn out and as wiser heads surely mused, this time last year an identically barren return from the opening two games did for Martin Jol.

The season may be nascent but Tottenham already have the look of the unbalanced. Ramos restored Gareth Bale and Ledley King as 4-4-2 and Giovani Dos Santos were ditched in favour of 4-51.

For all the question marks against his defence – without the injured Alan Hutton, full-backs Didier Zokora and Benoit Assou-Ekotto looked uncertain – and the unappetising prospect of Darren Bent (who rejected a summer move to Wearside) as lone striker, Ramos has revolutionised his midfield.

Bale added ballast, Aaron Lennon width, Jermaine Jenas attended to the donkey work and Luka Modric and David Bentley provided a glitter that was simultaneously old-style Tottenham and unashamedly modern Premier League. When they linked, as in the 15th minute as they caressed the ball forward to give Bentley the opportunity for a 20-yard punt, it was fantastic.

Ultimately, though, Tottenham were undone elsewhere as they were outhustled by eager Sunderland, whose back four was protected with laudable zeal by captain Dean Whitehead. After 38 minutes of Tottenham toil - although a touch of Lennon magic almost crafted a chance for Bent - the visitors went close when the home midfield watched Steed Malbranque hit the post.

Three minutes after the restart, Tottenham finally crafted a chance when Bale headed Bentley’s corner inches over the bar, but the dawn was false. Andy Reid trundled down the left, King half-cleared the subsequent cross to Jenas, who dallied on the edge of the penalty area and was robbed by Kieran Richardson. One splendidly placed curler later, Sunderland were ahead.

Now, at last, tranquil Tottenham looked engaged and four chances were created and squandered. Bentley was unlucky with a shot that was tipped over but Bale, Bent and Jenas, who beat Craig Gordon to the ball but headed inches wide, were guilty of profligacy.

Inevitably, Sunderland buckled. Daryl Murphy lost possession sloppily and Tom Huddlestone found Modric. The Croat’s first shot was charged down, his second saved by Gordon, only for Jenas to guide the rebound home.

Like 11 white-shirted hounds, Tottenham scented victory with Bentley leading. Then, of all things, Sunderland scored. Zokora was lax in closing down Murphy on the left and the Irishman used his free time wisely and crossed deeply for Djibril Cisse, 16 minutes into his year-long loan from Marseilles, to take advantage of swathes of space between King and Bale and head handsomely past Gomes. “This has shown me another side to my team,” said Keane. “Not just the character which I knew was there, but the fact that when Tottenham equalised there was no panic. ”

Star man:Dean Whitehead (Sunderland)

TOTTENHAM:Gomes 5, Bale 5, Woodgate 6, King 5, Assou-Ekotto (Huddlestone 56min 6), Zokora 4, Bentley 7, Modric 6, Jenas 6, Lennon 5 (Dos Santos 56min 6), Bent 5

SUNDERLAND:Gordon 7, Higginbotham 5, Nosworthy 7, Collins 7, Bardsley 6, Malbranque 7, Whitehead 8, Reid 6 (Miller 87min), Richardson 6 (Cisse 65min), Diouf 7, Murphy 7

Referee:M Dean Attendance:38,804