Football: Spurs boosted by Iversen's hat-trick

Sunderland 0 Tottenham Hotspur 4

Steffen Iversen, who could have been playing for Rosenborg Trondheim in the European Cup quarter-final against Juventus tonight, demonstrated his commitment to Tottenham in the most emphatic way imaginable at Roker Park last night.

Iversen left the Norwegian champions after they had qualified from the Champions' League, and he chose last night - when he might have been excused a tinge of regret - to score his first Premiership hat-trick. Iversen also laid on a goal for Allan Nielsen as Spurs halted their recent slide, plunging Sunderland deeper into relegation territory.

Iversen struck first after just 65 seconds, hooking the ball in after Sunderland had failed to clear a free-kick conceded by Alex Rae. Sunderland tried to respond, but after John Mullin had gone close, they were hit by another Iversen hammer-blow.

Colin Calderwood's free-kick from deep in his own half was flicked on by Teddy Sheringham and Iversen nipped in ahead of Sunderland goalkeeper Lionel Perez with another right-foot shot into the corner.

Sunderland, desperately needing a breakthrough to give themselves hope, almost got one after 22 minutes when Spurs goalkeeper Ian Walker needed two attempts to stop a long-range shot from Richard Ord.

But Sunderland's woes increased after 26 minutes when Iversen sent Nielsen racing clear and he had plenty of time before beating the exposed Perez with a low shot.

Two minutes into the second half Sunderland thought they had been given a lifeline when John Scales, under pressure from Rae, appeared to handle inside his own penalty area, but the referee, Mike Riley, awarded a free- kick for a push by the Sunderland player.

After 50 minutes Paul Bracewell put Mullin in the clear for Sunderland, but the striker's chance of a first Premiership goal went with a weak left-foot shot. Spurs weathered Sunderland's efforts and increased their advantage to 4-0 when Iversen completed his hat-trick after 62 minutes. David Howells' header from Darren Anderton's corner was headed off the line, but Iversen reacted quickly 30 yards out with a stunning right-foot shot past Perez.

Sunderland: Perez; Hall, Ord, Melville, Kubicki (Smith, 70), Bracewell, Ball, Rae, Kelly, Mullin (Bridges, 70), Russell. Substitutes not used: Gray, Howey, Preece (gk).

Tottenham Hotspur: Walker; Scales, Calderwood, Campbell, Austin, Howells, Nielsen, Anderton, Wilson (Carr, 33), Sheringham, Iversen. Substitutes not used: Dozzell, Rosenthal, Allen, Bardsen (gk).

Referee: M Riley (Leeds).