Iconic Moments | Tottenham Hotspur away | 2001

Tottenham Hotspur 3 - 5 Manchester United

A throwback now to a remarkable match from September 2001

Author | Pete Shaw

Fergie’s great United side staged a magnificent comeback to overwhelm Spurs at White Hart Lane. The home had been 3-0 up at halftime after outplaying their opponents. We fought back, though, like we did so often in that era.

How the drama unfolded

Tottenham fully deserved their interval lead. The White Hart Lane faithful witnessed a sensational performance from their side. Their five-man midfield dominated our four. Former red Teddy Sheringham was a constant threat in attack alongside Les Ferdinand.

Yet United, doubtless motivated by a typically forthright half-time reprimand from manager Sir Alex Ferguson, were sensational in the second half that day.

Lee Francis was in the away end that day and said: "At half-time, we were all shocked, but everyone still had a thought we could fight back. It's just how we were in that era. Even two weeks before, we were 3-1 down at Newcastle United and nearly picked up a point."

READ MORE | Iconic Moments | Nottingham Forest away | 1999

Mikael Silvestre came on to inject pace down the left side, in place of Denis Irwin, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Butt as United played with three up front.

United pulled a goal back within a minute of the restart as Andy Cole headed home from Beckham’s cross. The team began to display much more urgency and intent. Shortly afterwards, Blanc rose above Ledley King to powerfully head another Beckham corner into the net.

Tottenham, previously composed, now looked unsettled. Van Nistelrooy then levelled the score with another headed effort before Scholes and Solskjaer linked up to set Veron free, who finished left-footed past Sullivan.

Watch the highlights below. Footage courtesy of official United YouTube account

The remarkable United comeback was completed three minutes from time when David Beckham, now Sir David, fired a clinical right-footed shot past Sullivan from just inside the area.

Lee Francis added: “The atmosphere was amazing at full-time. Another memorable day.”

Dave Sampson was also there. He told us: "That season was just complete madness. We didn't win anything but there were amazing matches. This was the highlight though. We could have scored seven or eight in that second-half."