Harry Redknapp's magic touch with Tottenham continued as they ended Liverpool's unbeaten start to the season.
Redknapp magic continues for Tottenham
Harry Redknapp's magic touch with Tottenham continued as they ended Liverpool's unbeaten start to the season and climbed off the foot of the Premier League table.
As at Arsenal in midweek, Spurs left it late with Roman Pavlyuchenko turning home Darren Bent's cut-back in the 90th minute at White Hart Lane after Jose Reina had turned away David Bentley's shot.
Bentley also had a hand in the home side's 70th-minute leveller as his corner caused confusion in the Liverpool box and led to Jamie Carragher heading into his own net.
Rafa Benitez's men had been in front since the third minute when Dirk Kuyt linked with former Spurs striker Robbie Keane and lashed the ball over Heurelho Gomes from a tight angle.
The eccentric Brazilian goalkeeper showed both sides of his character with a superb save to tip a Gerrard shot onto the post before a lazy backpass allowed the Liverpool captain a shot at goal which came back off the face of the bar.
Redknapp has now guided Spurs to two wins and their thrilling 4-4 draw at Arsenal in less than a week to consign the misery of the final days of Juande Ramos to history.
Slick
Liverpool allowed a flurry of chances to slip by, with Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso missing the pick of them.
They should have been out of sight before Carragher struck while Spurs displayed more of the fighting spirit which served them so well against Arsenal in midweek.
It was three points dropped for Liverpool, who had Robbie Keane to thank for setting up the opening goal.
The Republic of Ireland striker continued some slick build-up play by finding the unmarked Kuyt down the right - and the Dutchman found the net from a tight angle with a brilliant finish.
Spurs' defensive woes continued with an inswinging Gerrard free-kick scrambled away by Gomes and moments later Bent nearly turned the ball into his own net.
Bent tried to make amends at the other end when he chased an astute looping ball by Tom Huddlestone but Reina raced off his line to clear the danger.
The sting had been taken out of Liverpool's early onslaught as Spurs began to retain possession, but their opponents' constant harrying in dreadful conditions made life difficult.
Vedran Corluka tried his luck from out wide on the left after being teed up by Bentley but his effort sailed wide.
The Spurs defence was opened up in the 29th minute when Kuyt nodded the ball down to Gerrard, who expertly weaved his way into the penalty area - however, his shot lacked the quality of the approaching run.
A desperate pass from Alvaro Arbeloa gave possession back to Spurs and the home side were holding their own in a keenly contested midfield battle.
But a dangerous run by Albert Riera underlined the threat posed by Liverpool as the ball was worked to Keane, who saw his shot easily blocked by a small posse of white shirts.
Reina was presented with a far tougher challenge at the other end in the 41st minute when he pushed aside Luka Modric's impressive effort from the edge of the area.
Gaffe
The ball slipped under the legs of Alonso's legs, leaving Reina with little time to react, but the Spaniard's reflexes were equal to the task.
Redknapp brought on Pavlyuchenko at the interval and the second half was just moments old when the Russian dragged a shot wide.
Spurs were concerned when Kuyt charged towards the goal, with the ball popping up to Gerrard - whose shot was tipped onto the right corner of the woodwork by Gomes.
The England midfielder then took advantage of a Gomes gaffe to try a looping shot from out wide but only found the top of the net.
Gomes flapped as Alonso sneaked in at the far post but the Spaniard's header slipped wide when he should have hit the target.
Liverpool should have been out of sight but the visitors equalised against the run of play when Carragher, under pressure from Ledley King, headed a corner into his own net.
And the majority of the White Hart Lane supporters were delighted when Pavlyuchenko tucked home Bent's pass to complete the comeback.
| Tottenham Hotspur |
Team Statistics |
Liverpool |
| 2 |
Goals |
1 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
| 3 |
Shots on Target |
4 |
| 5 |
Shots off Target |
8 |
| 2 |
Blocked Shots |
5 |
| 4 |
Corners |
4 |
| 18 |
Fouls |
14 |
| 1 |
Offsides |
4 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 67.4 |
Passing Success |
77.1 |
| 15 |
Tackles |
17 |
| 80 |
Tackles Success |
76.5 |
| 43.8 |
Possession |
56.2 |
| 40.3 |
Territorial Advantage |
59.7 |
|
