In a thrilling match back in 2011, Sunderland emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Tottenham, dealing a blow to Spurs’ Champions League aspirations. The game at the Stadium of Light saw Steve Bruce’s men outshine Harry Redknapp’s team, with Darren Bent stealing the show despite having two penalties saved by Tottenham’s goalkeeper, Heurelho Gomes. Bent’s brace, along with a stunning volley by Bolo Zenden, sealed the win for the Black Cats, while Peter Crouch managed to get on the scoresheet for the visitors.
Years later, Manchester City and England star Kyle Walker has revealed some intriguing details surrounding Tottenham’s journey to the North East for that fateful fixture. Walker, who was just starting out at right-back for Spurs, recounted a nerve-wracking flight experience that left the players traumatized. According to Walker, Russian forward Roman Pavlyuchenko, notorious for his fear of flying, faced a particularly distressing incident during the flight. As the plane approached Sunderland, a sudden, alarming descent caused the passengers to fear for their safety. Thankfully, the skilled pilot was able to regain control of the aircraft, but the scare left a lasting impact on the players.
Despite the unsettling flight, the Tottenham team soldiered on to face Sunderland, eventually succumbing to a defeat. Walker recalled how the players were visibly shaken by the experience, with Pavlyuchenko so horrified that he adamantly refused to board the return flight back home. The lingering effects of the turbulent journey were evident in the team’s performance on the pitch, as they struggled to overcome the mental aftermath of the frightening incident in the air.
Walker shared this compelling story on his BBC podcast, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the challenges and obstacles that athletes sometimes face off the field. The journey to Sunderland may have been fraught with fear and uncertainty, but it remains a testament to the resilience and determination of the players who overcame adversity to compete in a high-stakes football match.
