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Tottenham beats Sunderland for first EPL win of season, Leicester’s stunning comeback stuns Villa

TOTTENHAM finally grab their first win of the season against Sunderland, while high-flying Leicester City mount a stunning comeback against Aston Villa.

Tottenham Hotspur's English striker Harry Kane (up) attends to Tottenham Hotspur's English midfielder Ryan Mason, as he lies injured after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, north east England on September 13, 2015. Tottenham won the game 1-0. AFP PHOTO / IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Tottenham Hotspur's English striker Harry Kane (up) attends to Tottenham Hotspur's English midfielder Ryan Mason, as he lies injured after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, north east England on September 13, 2015. Tottenham won the game 1-0. AFP PHOTO / IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

TOTTENHAM won its first match of the Premier League season on Sunday with Ryan Mason clinching a 1-0 victory over Sunderland.

But after five matches, Sunderland remains winless in the league with only two points after coming close to being relegated last season.

Mason scored in the 82nd minute in northeast England, taking Erik Lamela’s through-ball before clipping over goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon and injuring a knee in the process.

Though Harry Kane scored twice on international duty with England, the striker remains without a goal for Tottenham after being the league’s second-highest scorer last season.

“I am very happy with him,” Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said. “He gives his best for the team, the effort was great and you know he only needs time to score again. I’m sure, because he has great skill in front of goal, that it’s only a matter of time.”

Tottenham striker Harry Kane attends to injured goalscorer. Ryan Mason.
Tottenham striker Harry Kane attends to injured goalscorer. Ryan Mason.

LEICESTER CITY 3 ASTON VILLA 2

In Sunday’s other game, Leicester fought from two goals down in the last 18 minutes to beat Aston Villa 3-2, maintain its unbeaten start to the season.

Having only just avoided relegation last season, unbeaten Leicester is second after five games under former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri. By contrast, defending champion Chelsea is seven points behind after losing three games.

“Fantastic, fantastic, spirit and good character,” Ranieri said. “At 2-0 I watched my players and they believed everything was possible. You can lose, but you have to believe that anything is possible.

Jamie Vardy of Leicester City and Leandro Bacuna of Aston Villa clash
Jamie Vardy of Leicester City and Leandro Bacuna of Aston Villa clash

“I told the players I have a lot of experience but this group is fantastic. We have to play every match in this way.”

Superb goals from Jack Grealish and Carles Gil had put Villa in command. But Richie De Laet began Leicester’s comeback in the 72nd minute, with a headed goal awarded thanks to goal-line technology.

Jamie Vardy dragged Leicester level with a close-range finish and Nathan Dyer won it in the 89th, heading in while being flattened by goalkeeper Brad Guzan. Dyer remained on the field for a couple of minutes but eventually got to his feet.

Re-live all the action in our blog below.

Originally published as Tottenham beats Sunderland for first EPL win of season, Leicester’s stunning comeback stuns Villa

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/premier-league/english-premier-league-live-coverage-of-sunderland-v-tottenham-hotspur-leicester-city-v-aston-villa/news-story/16b8717880db42d5a156a6c75c10da78