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Roberto de Zerbi's reign as Tottenham Hotspur's new head coach started with a defeat at Sunderland that plunges them deeper into relegation trouble.
Italian De Zerbi took charge after predecessor Igor Tudor was sacked after only 44 days in charge – but it was the same old story as Spurs could not end a winless sequence in the Premier League which now stretches to 14 games, with none in 2026.
De Zerbi's new charges were not short of endeavour but quality was sorely lacking and the goal that started their downfall typified a scrappy game when Nordi Mukiele's 20-yard shot took a big deflection off Spurs defender Micky van de Ven to leave keeper Antonin Kinsky helpless.
Spurs then lost captain Cristian Romero through injury after he was nudged into keeper Kinsky by Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey.
It is a result that leaves Spurs in the bottom three, two points behind West Ham United after the Hammers' 4-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday.
Roberto de Zerbi has no time to waste if he is to save Spurs from the ignominy of the drop, but he was unable to make the clouds of relegation hanging over this giant club lift on another dismal day.
Spurs now have to make up that two-point gap on West Ham United with only six games left, and he witnessed a display desperately lacking in inspiration on Wearside.
Sunderland were by far the more organised and threatening side, with Dominic Solanke wasting Spurs' best chance right on half-time when he was blocked at the near post.
De Zerbi was preparing to make changes when Sunderland went ahead with a goal that often sums up the fate of the struggling team, Nordi Mukiele's routine shot taking a huge deflection off Micky van de Ven to beat Antonin Kinsky.
Spurs were also unlucky to lose key defender and captain Cristian Romero following that clash with keeper Kinsky, the Argentine in tears as he went off.
De Zerbi would have been concerned at the lack of reaction from Spurs to going behind, a clear indicator of their lack of self-belief and confidence.
There is no escaping just how serious Spurs' predicament is – and they will have to produce much better than this in their next game at home to De Zerbi's old club Brighton.
The fact that Spurs have not win in the Premier League since victory at Crystal Palace on 28 December does not inspire confidence.
Sunderland started this campaign as Premier League newcomers, with many predicting they would make a swift return to the Championship.
Instead The Black Cats, under the shrewd leadership of Regis le Bris, have not only survived but flourished as they sit in the top 10 and worthy of mention in the conversation about European qualification.
Sunderland were by far the better side here, only undermined by so many poor decisions in attacking situations that prevented them giving the scoreline a more emphatic appearance.
At the heart of it all was 33-year-old Granit Xhaka, an inspired summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen, who is the glue that gels this Sunderland side together.
Xhaka rarely wastes a pass, is always available, and gives off an air of calm and experience that is vital.
Sunderland saw off Spurs in relative comfort to continue their superb season.
