Harry Redknapp might as well be Harry Potter as far as Tottenham Hotspur fans are concerned after his new side achieved the near-magical feat of securing a 4-4 draw away to Arsenal in the north London derby, despite being two goals behind with a minute left of normal time.
The former Portsmouth manager, who last weekend guided Spurs to a first league win of the season, could have been forgiven for thinking the game was up when Arsenal led 4-2 heading into the 89th minute.
But goals from Jermaine Jenas and Aaron Lennon gave the visitors a remarkable share of the spoils.
PHOTO: EPA
A draw saw Arsenal go into third place on goal difference, not that the crowd at the Emirates Stadium would have known from the reaction of angry Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who sank to his knees in despair when Lennon leveled.
Tottenham took a 13th minute lead in spectacular fashion when, from fully 40m out, England midfielder David Bentley flicked the ball up and lobbed a swerving volley over the head of Manuel Almunia.
However, Arsenal were in front after headed goals either side of halftime from French central defenders Mikael Silvestre and William Gallas.
Emmanuel Adebayor made it 3-1, before Darren Bent scored Spurs’ second.
Arsenal’s two-goal lead was then restored by Dutch striker Robin van Persie, before Jenas and Lennon turned the match on its head.
Elsewhere, Liverpool maintained their three-point lead over Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table.
But it was not until 14 minutes from time, when Reds captain Steven Gerrard scored from the penalty spot, that Portsmouth, with Tony Adams now in charge. were on their way to a 1-0 defeat at Anfield.
Chelsea, kept the pressure on with a 3-0 win away to surprise package Hull City, who dropped down to a still impressive fifth place. Aston Villa went fourth with a 3-2 win at home to Blackburn Rovers.
At the other end of the table, top-flight new boys Stoke City climbed out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win at home to Sunderland. Fulham also pulled clear of danger with a 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic, Middlesbrough beat Manchester City 2-0, while Everton record signing Marouane Fellaini left it until the 90th minute to beat Bolton Wanderers.
Team |
P |
GD |
PTS |
|
1 |
Liverpool |
10 |
9 |
26 |
2 |
Chelsea |
10 |
18 |
23 |
3 |
Arsenal |
10 |
12 |
20 |
4 |
Aston Villa |
10 |
7 |
20 |
5 |
Hull |
10 |
0 |
20 |
6 |
Man Utd |
9 |
10 |
18 |
7 |
Portsmouth |
10 |
-5 |
14 |
8 |
Man City |
10 |
7 |
13 |
9 |
Middlesbrough |
10 |
-5 |
13 |
10 |
Sunderland |
10 |
-2 |
12 |
11 |
West Ham |
10 |
-4 |
12 |
12 |
Everton |
10 |
-5 |
12 |
13 |
Blackburn |
10 |
-7 |
12 |
14 |
Fulham |
9 |
0 |
11 |
15 |
Stoke |
10 |
-7 |
10 |
16 |
West Brom |
10 |
-8 |
10 |
17 |
Newcastle |
10 |
-6 |
9 |
18 |
Wigan |
10 |
-4 |
8 |
19 |
Bolton |
10 |
-5 |
8 |
20 |
Tottenham |
10 |
-5 |
6 |
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