Bent blew a golden chance to help his side get back into the game when he saw his spot-kick saved by the Tottenham keeper.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp will have not complaints after an early goal from Keane and a stunning effort from Huddlestone saw his side get back on the winning trail in the league and help them move back into the top four.
The home side broke the deadlock on 12 minutes. Benoit Assou-Ekotto crossed into the box and Peter Crouch headed the ball into the path of Keane, who looked to be standing in an offside position.
The Spurs skipper saw his first shot blocked by Craig Gordon but was able to knock the rebound past the Sunderland keeper.
Keane was celebrating his first league goal since the end of September, but the Sunderland bench and Steve Bruce were left fuming over the decision to allow the goal to stand.
Bruce clearly felt the effort should have been ruled out and made his feelings known towards referee Kevin Friend.
Sunderland had strong claims for a penalty turned down on 33 minutes when Gomes clashed with Bent in the box, but replays showed the Spurs keeper had got to the ball first.
Bruce must have sensed it was not going to be his day when the woodwork came to Tottenham's rescue on 37 minutes.
Jonathan Woodgate's poor clearance fell straight into the path of Andy Reid, who chested the ball down and unleashed an unstoppable 35-yard shot which beat Gomes in the Tottenham goal but his effort cannoned back off the post.
The major talking point of the game came on 51 minutes when Sunderland were awarded a penalty.
Steed Malbranque's pass picked out Bent, who broke away from the Tottenham defence and was brought down inside the box by Gomes.
The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot but made the controversial decision in allowing Gomes to stay on the field.
The decision came back to haunt Sunderland as Bent saw his spot-kick superbly saved by the Spurs keeper diving low to his left.
Gomes reacted as if Tottenham had just won the league punching both his arms into the air and Spurs fans taunted their former striker.
Tottenham could have added a second on 57 minutes. Gordon spilled a shot from Jermain Defoe and the rebound fell to Huddlestone, who fired a powerful 30-yard shot inches past the post.
Gomes came to Tottenham's rescue once again on 61 minutes when he produced another fine save to deny Malbranque's shot.
Sunderland were made to pay all for their missed opportunities when Huddlestone sealed all three points for the home side with the crucial second on 68 minutes.
Defoe passed to Huddlestone and he fired a spectacular shot past substitute keeper Marton Fulop into the top right-hand corner.