Spurs finally gave their fans something to smile about as they turned on the style to end a disappointing season on a high note.

Tim Sherwood made a welcome return from injury, coming off the bench to score the second goal, but the highlight of the afternoon was an exquisite chip from right back Stephen Carr that wrapped up the game after 82 minutes.

It made it a good afternoon for manager George Graham, who returned to the Tottenham dug-out in the second half after missing the previous five games with arthritis.

He saw his side beat a Sunderland team who finished the game with 10 men after substitute Alex Rae was shown the red card for a blatant elbow on David Ginola two minutes from the end.

The only disappointment for Spurs was an abortive return from injury by Oyvind Leonhardsen, who lasted 41 minutes before breaking down.

Spurs took the lead when they were awarded their first penalty in the Premiership this season. It came after 10 minutes when Chris Armstrong was hacked down by Sunderland defender Paul Butler. Referee Mike Riley had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, but the Sunderland players were furious as they felt Armstrong had been fouled outside the box but fallen in it.

They surrounded linesman Martin Cooper on the near touchline to protest, but their appeals were waved away and Darren Anderton tucked the penalty into the bottom left corner for his third goal of the season.

Tottenham's only other penalty was in the UEFA Cup second round, first leg clash against Germany's Kaiserslautern at White Hart Lane back in October, which was tucked away that night by Steffen Iversen.

But the lead lasted only nine minutes, as Sunderland got the justice they felt they deserved with Chris Makin's first Premiership goal of the season. Spurs defended sloppily down the left and Kevin Phillips fed his skipper who stroked home the ball neatly with the outside of his boot.

Ginola was back in the starting line-up for Spurs and so too was midfielder Leonhardsen. The Norwegian international had been out of action since December 6 with a groin injury, but he returned on the right flank with the hope of boosting his hopes of making it into his country's squad for Euro 2000.

However, he broke down and was replaced by Sherwood, who had earned a place on the substitutes' bench after being out since February 26 because of a stomach injury.

Sunderland named the team which beat West Ham 1-0 last weekend. Rae was available after suspension but could only manage a place on the bench.

Spurs made the livelier start and Armstrong flashed a shot across the face of the goal after three minutes. Two minutes later, Ginola had the crowd on their feet with a brilliant curling effort from 20 yards, but it flew just wide of the far post. The pace dropped after the two goals, and the only highlight was the sight of Ginola spraying the ball around for Spurs in a free role in the centre of midfield.

Sunderland wasted a good chance after 37 minutes when they won a free-kick in a central position a few yards outside the box. This time Makin was way off the mark as he blasted the ball high and wide.

Spurs should have rounded off the half with another goal after 43 minutes. Iversen found Armstrong clear in the box, but he tried to take the ball round the goalkeeper and ended up falling to the ground as it ran out of play.

The referee gave a goal-kick, and Armstrong was lucky to escape a booking. Spurs were forced to make a change at the interval as Iversen failed to emerge for the second half.

Assistant boss Stewart Houston had considered bringing him off towards the end of the first half when he was struggling for breath, but the Norwegian striker has insisted he was okay to carry on.

His replacement for the second half was Gary Doherty. He was signed from Luton for £1million after the transfer deadline but given permission to be included in the squad for the last two matches as nothing was riding on them.

He came off the bench to make his debut at Old Trafford last weekend, so he was following that up with his home bow in this match.

Another significant sight was Graham taking his place on the bench for the second half.

Doherty almost made a dream start when after 50 minutes Freund crossed low from the right and he turned the ball on to the post. That effort came a minute after Nicky Summerbee had tested Ian Walker with a smartly-taken volley from 30 yards, but the Spurs goalkeeper caught it comfortably.

Armstrong was unlucky again after 55 minutes when he made a good run down the left, cut inside, and drilled a low shot just wide. Spurs were enjoying most of the possession and made the most of it with two goals in 10 minutes.

After 72 minutes Freund's long throw was headed on by Sol Campbell and Sherwood arrived to stab it home. Ten minutes later Carr made a surging run down the right and after spotting Thomas Sorensen off his line he beat him with a fantastic chip.

It was a great end to a game which even saw Ginola last the full 90 minutes.

Sunderland were well beaten but can hold their heads high at the end of their first season back in the top flight following promotion from Division One last summer.

Spurs went on the customary lap of honour and the fans will be wondering how significant it was that skipper Campbell was the last man off the pitch.

Was he saying thank-you to the fans for their support this season, or was he waving them goodbye?

Teams:

Tottenham: Walker, Carr, Perry, Campbell, King, Leonhardsen (Sherwood 41), Freund, Anderton, Ginola, Iversen (Doherty 46), Armstrong.

Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Clemence, Gardner.

Goals: Anderton 11 pen, Sherwood 73, Carr 83.

Sunderland: Sorensen, Makin (Holloway 72), P. Butler, Craddock, Gray, Summerbee, Thirlwell (Rae 64), Roy, Oster (Kilbane 62), Phillips, Quinn.

Subs Not Used: Marriott, Dichio.

Sent Off: Rae (89).

Goals: Makin 20.

Att: 36,070

Ref: M Riley (Leeds).