Redknapp hails a fantastic performance - now for Liverpool
SPURS staged a stunning fightback to salvage a draw in stoppage time in Wednesday night s eight-goal thriller against rivals Arsenal. Harry Redknapp s battling Spurs twice came from two goals down in the second half to stun the Gunners with late strikes f
SPURS staged a stunning fightback to salvage a draw in stoppage time in Wednesday night's eight-goal thriller against rivals Arsenal.
Harry Redknapp's battling Spurs twice came from two goals down in the second half to stun the Gunners with late strikes from stand-in skipper Jermaine Jenas and substitute Aaron Lennon.
All this after ex-Gunner David Bentley had given the Lilywhites an early lead with an outrageous opener from fully 45 yards.
"It was a real old-fashioned slugging match," said Redknapp after his second game as Tottenham manager.
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"We went for it and then they went for it. We conceded some sloppy goals but we never gave up. We showed a never-say-die attitude and came back brilliantly. It was a fantastic performance and a great result in the end."
"There's a real spirit there, a determination. They were jumping for joy in the dressing room."
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Bentley's audacious opener gave Redknapp the perfect start. The England star controlled a Tom Huddlestone header and teed himself up for a stunning volley from 40 yards that Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia touched but could not keep out.
The Gunners then took almost total control of the game and it came as no great surprise when they equalised eight minutes before the break, although Spurs felt Bentley had been fouled by Cesc Fabregas in the lead-up to an Arsenal corner. And Tottenham's misery increased when keeper Heurelho Gomes made an feable attempt to deal with Robin Van Persie's corner, allowing Mikael Silvestre to head home.
The Gunners then took the lead from another set-piece less than a minute after the re-start, William Gallas heading home Van Persie's inswinging free-kick,
The fired-up Bentley then tested Almunia from long range before Emmanuel Adebayor extended Arsenal's lead after 64 minutes. Van Persie's superb pass released Samir Nasri to lob Gomes and Adebayor beat Alan Hutton in a race to poke home almost on the goal-line.
But Spurs were thrown a lifeline three minutes later when Almunia fumbled Huddlestone's shot and Darren Bent turned in the rebound.
Yet, any hopes of a Spurs revival appeared to be snuffed out within two minutes, Hutton gifting possession to Adebayor, who set up Van Persie to score. And when Jenas curled in a stylish finish with a minute of normal time remaining, it looked nothing more than a consolation strike.
But with seconds left of the four minutes of injury time, Luka Modric's shot was deflected on to a post and Lennon slotted in the rebound to spark wild celebration for players and fans alike.
pat.mooney@hamhigh.co.uk
