The North Londoners’ record of turning impending defeats into victories belies their reputation as a weak side, especially under Mauricio Pochettino.
Tottenham’s Son Heung-min celebrates scoring their second goal with Jan Vertonghen
Tottenham Hotspur’s astonishing late show against Swansea City on Wednesday wasn’t just the latest proof that Mauricio Pochettino has crafted a side who are without a doubt one of the best in England, it was another comeback that saw Spurs turn a defeat into a win in the last five minutes of a match.
According to the Mail, the North Londoners have swapped a defeat into a win in the last five minutes more than any other team in Premier League history – four times, from a total of 20 in the history in the division. Not so ‘Spursy’, eh?
Here are Tottenham’s three other winning Premier League winning comebacks, with a couple of their dramatic draws from losing positions thrown in for good measure to round out an impressive top five:
Swansea 1-3 Tottenham, 2017
Arguably the recent win in South Wales was the best of the lot. The Swans had sat so deep for the match that it looked impossible for Spurs to get an equaliser, let alone a win, despite bossing possession. As the seconds ticked down, the away team finally made the breakthrough not once but three times, as Dele Alli, Heung-Min Son and then Christian Eriksen just for good measure secured a result that emphasised how special this group of players are.
Tottenham’s Son Heung-min celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates
Tottenham 3-2 Everton – 1993
The club’s first astonishing turnaround came some 24 years ago, when things were a lot rougher under legendary player, but questionable manager Ossie Ardiles.
Paul Rideout gave the Toffees the lead against the run of play, before Teddy Sheringham equalised with a smart header. A Tony Cottee penalty put Everton back in front, with the points looking like they were going back to Merseyside. But Darren Anderton fired a late volley (89) past Neville Southall to draw level, and the other Darren, Caskey this time, placed a shot in the far corner to break those Toffee hearts just minutes later. It was Caskey’s first goal for the club.
West Ham 3-4 Tottenham – 2007
Tottenham Hotspur’s Paul Stalteri celebrate’s scoring their fourth goal of the match
A real topsy-turvy game at Upton Park, as West Ham and Spurs took turns pegging each other back. Spurs had already come back to 2-2 having been two down going into the second half, only for ex-Spur Bobby Zamora to put the home side ahead in the 85th minute. Martin Jol’s men wouldn’t be outdone though, and a sublime free kick from Dimitar Berbatov a minute before the end of the 90 was followed by a break up the pitch that saw a Jermain Defoe strike parried into the path of Paul Stalteri, with the Canadian sweeping home the winner.
Tottenham 3-2 West Ham – 2016
Tottenham’s Harry Kane celebrates scoring their third goal against West Ham
You could almost feel sorry for the East Londoners. Well, almost. Spurs secured another unbelievable comeback against their London rivals just this season, with a late Harry Kane brace giving the title challengers all three points when as late as the 88th minute, they were behind. The Tottenham icon kept his nerve to win the game from the spot in the 91st minute having levelled 160 seconds earlier.
Arsenal 4-4 Tottenham – 2008
We thought you’d like this one, Spurs fans. Arguably one of the most unpredictable, and exciting North London derby’s of recent years; David Bentley lit the fuse with a ridiculous effort from 40 yards against his former club, before the Gunners stormed into a dominant 3-1 lead, with a Darren Bent goal seeming like a false dawn as Arsenal quickly went 4-2 up with 22 minutes to go. But, famously, there would be plenty more to come. Jermaine Jenas got Wenger’s water bottle wobbling with a super strike in the 89th minute, and Luka Modric’s shot from range a minute later smashed off the far post and fell to Aaron Lennon to fire home. Cue delirium in the away end. And water bottles a flying from the home dugout.
(L-R) Tottenham’s Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon and Darren Bent celebrate with a fan after their fourth goal against Arsenal
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