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Camden New Journal - by STEVE BARNETT
Published: 4 October 2007

Spurs birthday thriller

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4 ASTON VILLA 4

WHEN Spurs legend Steve Perryman walked on to the pitch at half-time he told fans who’d turned up to celebrate Spurs’ 125th birthday on Monday night he wanted to see a second half fightback that would “be in the tradition of this great club”.
But the former player, who clocked up the club’s record number of appearances, could not have wished for a more dramatic finale.
The birthday bash started well when Dimitar Berbatov headed Spurs ahead on 19 minutes.
But the joy was short- lived: two minutes later Paul Robinson, in the first of two howlers, dropped a simple cross at the feet of Martin Laursen, and the Villa defender made no mistake. Moments later Villa’s left flanker Ashley Young – a summer target for Spurs – ghosted past Pascal Chimbonda. In the ensuing goalmouth melee, Laursen pounced again as Robinson allowed the ball to squirm through his legs.
Villa threatened to run riot as Gabriel Agbonlahor and Craig Gardner gave Villa a 4-1 lead.
In what could have been the final gamble as Spurs manager, Martin Jol sent on Jermain Defoe, and the talismanic forward rejuvenated his team mates. Chimbonda tucked away a neat finish after Defoe hit a post, before Darren Bent won a penalty that Robbie Keane coolly converted.
Then in the dying seconds Younes Kaboul rifled home to complete the comeback.

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