Roy keane gives the most perfect verdict on Sunderland star for his masterclass display to keep Tottenham star at bay

In a gritty Premier League encounter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 4, 2026, Sunderland fought back for a 1-1 draw against Tottenham. Ben Davies put Spurs ahead in the 30th minute from a set-piece, but Brian Brobbey’s stunning 80th-minute strike, assisted by Enzo Le Fée, earned the Black Cats a deserved point amid Tottenham’s defensive retreat. espn.com +1Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane praised Sunderland right-back Nordi Mukiele for his defensive masterclass that neutralized Tottenham forward Richarlison. “Mukiele was outstanding—didn’t let Richarlison breathe, won every header, timed his tackles perfectly. That’s proper defending in a tough away game; he bossed the flank and even pushed forward late on,” Keane stated post-match, highlighting Mukiele’s discipline under Régis Le Bris.Mukiele, rated 9/10, delivered a fantastic performance: strong defensively, impactful in attack after positional shifts, and key in containing Richarlison’s threats.

rokerreport.sbnation.com His efforts epitomized Sunderland’s second-half dominance, outshooting Spurs and frustrating the hosts, who faced boos amid pressure on manager Thomas Frank. Brobbey (8/10) and Le Fée shone offensively, but Mukiele’s shutdown was crucial.This result keeps Sunderland solidly mid-table, underscoring their resilience Keane admires. Tottenham’s woes continue in a faltering season.