Sunderland got off to a flying start after taking the lead as early as the third minute, but they failed to take the initiative and in the end that proved costly.
Tottenham's late equaliser was shrouded in controversy. The Wearsiders felt they should have had a penalty as Kenwyne Jones was hauled down in the area by Ledley King with just two minutes of normal time remaining.
Referee Phil Dowd ignored the appeals and Spurs broke the pace to net an equaliser that would break Wearside hearts.
Darren Bent crossed for fellow striker Robbie Keane and the Irishman fired low past Marton Fulop to level matters.
You could argue that it had been a long time coming with the Black Cats on the back foot for long spells in the second half.
But the Wearsiders must have thought they had weathered the storm and held out for three very valuable points.
It was not to be though and questions must be asked about the defensive mentality adopted by the home team.
Rather than going for goal, Sunderland decided to try and shore things up and finished the game with one up front.
That would cost them in the end, but it could have been so different had the home team built on the best of starts.
Djibril Cisse started off the move for goal with just two minutes played. His flick-on found fellow Frenchman Steed Malbranque and the midfielder's attempted pass was deflected off Keane into the path of Richardson.
The former Manchester United man raced into the area before slotting the ball past stranded Heurelho Gomes and into the net.
Spurs pushed on in search of an equaliser and may have got it as early as the 11th minute had Keane been able to get any power on his header.
The visitors continued to press with the Wearsiders looking to hit them on the break.
There were no further goals in a fairly entertaining opening half, but there were good chances for both sides.
Tottenham's best came on 34 minutes when Jermaine Jenas' free-kick was flicked on in the area by Bent but Keane's effort was saved by the legs of Fulop.
That signalled a sustained spell of pressure for the visitors, but the hosts could have doubled their advantage before the break.
Their first opportunity came on 38 minutes as Gomes came and flapped at the ball which landed on the head of Jones.
He nodded on but Wilson Palacios nipped in to take the ball of Cisse's foot.
Then right on half-time, Andy Reid chased a ball in the area, Gomes just beating him to it to deny what would have been a second goal for the hosts.
After the break, Spurs stepped things up but for all their attacks and possession they were having no luck in front of goal.
Record £16.5million man Bent was guilty of a terrible miss after being gifted possession just before the hour-mark.
Dean Whitehead's sliced pass fell to the forward and he looked certain to score before blazing the ball over the bar from the edge of the area.
Spurs had a shout for a penalty of their own on 75 minutes as Phil Bardsley headed Aaron Lennon's cross onto his own hand but any contact appeared to be purely accidental.
The Londoners continued to come forward in numbers but looked to be out of ideas and almost out of time until that man Keane popped up to spare their blushes and earn a precious away point.