One Of The Greatest!?

By Joe Radford | 31st October 2008

One Of The Greatest!? | read this item

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David Bentley Football fans may have just witnessed one of the greatest games ever to be contested in the Premier League. The North London derby has always had a reputation for been a heated contest between two fierce rivals, but surely nobody could have predicted the outcome of last night’s 4-4 thriller.

In one of the greatest games, came one of the greatest goals, as David Bentley duly reminded Arsenal what a huge mistake it was letting him go at the tender age of 21. A stunning 40 yard volley saw Harry Redknapp’s eager Spurs take an unexpected lead and silenced the Emirates. But just on the stroke of half time, it was the home side’s turn to celebrate, as ex-Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre headed home from a Cesc Fabregas corner, a perfect time to score for Arsene Wenger’s Gunners.

Pundits and managers alike have always said scoring on the stroke of half time is the ideal time to score, and this was evident as just seconds after the restart Arsenal skipper William Gallas headed home and Arsenal fans could relax slightly. Arsenal then seemed to put any chance of an upset well and truly buried as Emanuel Adebayor’s unorthodox scramble made it 3-1, and Spurs fans poured out of the Emirates. Little did they know what they were about to miss.

Darren Bent managed to get on the score sheet again for the second week running, but was canceled out when Robin Van Persie struck from the right hand side of the area past Gomes immediately after. With nothing to lose, Tottenham surged forward in numbers only searching for what seemed to be a consolation goal, but after a rapid counter attack from the Spurs, Jermaine Jenas finished, raising eye brows when 4 minutes of injury time was confirmed by the fourth official. The noise around the Emirates was piercing and whistles were urging Martin Atkinson to finish the game. With only seconds remaining, Luka Modric struck the post with a stinging effort, and Aaron Lennon became the hero as he finished the rebound and led the celebrations as the ecstatic Tottenham faithful invaded the pitch to join their players. Anybody would have thought Tottenham had won the league looking at the players’ and fans’ delight after a strenuous 94 minutes.

Could Harry Redknapp have asked for a better way to start his Tottenham career? With a win on his first day as manager and a precious point in such a way at the Emirates, is this the rejuvenated Spurs we’ve been waiting for?

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