Four goals by Bulgarian international Dimitar Berbatov inspired Tottenham Hotspur to an astonishing 6-4 victory over Reading in their Premiership clash on Saturday.
Berbatov's quadruple came in a madcap match where Spurs came from behind to level three times -- Dave Kitson scoring twice, taking his total to eight Premiership goals this term, in the second half for the visitors -- and which saw six of the goals come in 14 minutes of the second half.
The result will hardly surprise the statisticians as both sides had the best record of average goals scored whether it be by them or their opponents per game this term.
Berbatov struck in the seventh minute as the Bulgarian latched on to a pass by strike partner Robbie Keane and slotted the ball coolly past Reading's US goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.
Spurs had already signaled their intent with a shot on target by South Korean star Lee Young-pyo, whose long range effort was safely gathered by Hahnemann.
However, Reading went level in the 16th minute as Khalifa Cisse -- who had picked up an early booking from referee Keith Stroud -- struck the ball cleanly past Paul Robinson after the England keeper had beaten away a Nicky Shorey freekick.
Both sides failed to conjure up any real chances for the remainder of the half, but it was a different story after the break.
Reading came out all guns blazing and deservedly took the lead in the 53rd minute as Icelandic defender Ivar Ingimarsson headed past Robinson from the center of the penalty area from Shorey's corner.
Robinson, though, was equal to the task nine minutes later when he stood up firmly to Stephen Hunt's shot and beat it away.
A minute later and Reading counted the cost of that missed effort as Spurs drew level, Berbatov shooting home from close range.
Spurs were galvanized by this and a few minutes later Tom Huddlestone nearly gave himself a belated 21st birthday present, but his long range shot was saved by Hahnemann.
Reading made them pay as Kitson grabbed his first, heading bravely home from the tireless Shorey's corner in the 69th minute. Four minutes later Spurs drew level again as Berbatov secured his hat-trick as he prodded home Jermaine Jenas' corner.
However, Reading refused to be deterred and it was Kitson again who turned up to restore their lead with a fine left-footed shot from inside the penalty area after good work by Hunt.
It was Spurs, though, who again found the resources to come back as French midfielder Steed Malbranque -- supplied by Huddlestone -- curled a delightful effort past Hahnemann.
Three minutes later and the mayhem continued as Jermain Defoe rose to head past a by-now shellshocked Hahnemann from Keane's cross -- Spurs manager Juande Ramos tried to put up the barricades by replacing Keane a minute later with defensive midfielder Teemu Tainio.
If Hahnemann was shellshocked then he was even more worse for wear in the 83rd minute as Berbatov scored his fourth with a fine shot from 18m out to give Spurs some much needed breathing space and end the entertainment for both sets of fans.
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