A forgettable encounter at the Stadium of Light saw Spurs dominate possession without threatening to break the deadlock.

Sunderland were prepared to sit back, soak up pressure and try to hurt the visitors on the counter, but they too offered little as an attacking force.

Parker admits the game never really got going, but feels the Black Cats' approach did not help proceedings.

He told Sky Sports: "It was quite a slow game. I think we dominated possession, particularly first half. I think it was down to the way Sunderland set up, they got men behind the ball and let us have it.

"It proved to be a difficult afternoon and we couldn't get the goal we were searching for. We will take a 0-0 and go back and get ready for the game on Monday (against Norwich)."

Surprised

The England international added: "We were probably a bit surprised by the way they set up, we expected them to come at us a little bit more, which they didn't.

"I think we are disappointed that we haven't got the three points, but we will take the draw and move on."

A point was enough to see Tottenham back into third place in the Premier League, but they remain locked in a top-of-the-table tussle that sees four sides battling it out for two remaining places in next season's UEFA Champions League.

On that scrap, Parker said: "At the end of the day, we have to concentrate on what we can do. We need to go and win as many games as we can. We have got six games left and we need to keep picking up points.

"You have to just worry about yourselves. If we win our games, we are fine. We need to concentrate.

"We know how good this league is and Newcastle have done fantastic along with Chelsea and Arsenal. It's all to play for but it's in our hands, and that's where you want it to be."