Last-gasp Lennon lifts Spurs

Tottenham's 100 per cent start continued as Aaron Lennon earned a late 2-1 win over Birmingham.

Injury-time strike ensures Redknapp's men march on

Tottenham's 100 per cent start to the season continued as Aaron Lennon hit an injury-time winner to earn a 2-1 victory over Birmingham at White Hart Lane. Premier League successes over Liverpool, Hull City and West Ham had created a mood of optimism along the Seven Sisters Road ahead of kick-off, but Spurs looked set for a draw after Peter Crouch's opener was cancelled out by Lee Bowyer. However, Tottenham hit back with virtually the final kick of the game as Lennon fired the winner to devastate a stubborn Birmingham side, who were last season's Championship runners-up. After a goalless first half, Spurs were rocked at half-time as Ledley King was replaced by Alan Hutton due to a groin injury, and Luka Modric's afternoon was over shortly after the restart following a challenge with Bowyer. Crouch replaced Modric and the summer arrival from Portsmouth made an impact in the 72nd minute as he nodded in a Tom Huddlestone cross from an acute angle to give Spurs a deserved advantage. But Tottenham's lead lasted just three minutes as Bowyer pounced on defensive hesitation from Spurs substitute Hutton and goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini to slot an equaliser. It appeared that Harry Redknapp's side were going to have to settle for a draw, however, deep into time added on, Lennon struck following a slip from former Spurs star Stephen Carr to snatch the points. It was a frustrating first half for Tottenham, who have also thrashed Doncaster in the Carling Cup.

Poor luck

They pressed forward at every opportunity but a combination of poor luck and bad finishing kept the game goalless. Lennon might have had two goals, seeing one shot palmed away by Birmingham goalkeeper Joe Hart and another blocked when it seemed he must score. It was Jermain Defoe, however, who was most at fault. Defoe could not be more confident right now, having scored four goals already in his previous three games this season, and there are Tottenham fans who might well have put their mortgage on him adding another after 20 minutes. He had done all the hard work, wriggled free, sprinted away from his pursuers. All that was required was a crisp clip to the goalkeeper's right. He overcooked it, dragging it yards wide. It was that sort of afternoon. Lots of sweat. Loads of ambition. But not much end product. Redknapp was forced to make a change at the start of the second half with Hutton replacing the influential King, who had picked up a groin strain.

Crash

And two minutes later the fourth official was raising his board again after Modric limped off with a leg injury. Crouch entered the fray and Tottenham's work became a shade more direct. No bad thing that. Redknapp's men can overcomplicate things. Crouch gives them a Plan B and it paid off. Indeed, in the space of six minutes Crouch could have had a hat-trick, one header crashing back off the bar and another being cleared off the line by Carsley, until he finally found the net. As it turned out the drama had only just begun as Bowyer took advantage shortly after when Hutton and Cudicini left the ball for each other. The game continued to ebb and flow, with Birmingham substitute Christian Benitez, causing problems, but Lennon was on hand with a crisp right-footer to make sure it all ended happily for Spurs.

Tottenham Hotspur	Team Statistics	Birmingham City
2	Goals	1
0	1st Half Goals	0
10	Shots on Target	5
10	Shots off Target	5
6	Blocked Shots	3
7	Corners	3
12	Fouls	10
2	Offsides	4
2	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0
82	Passing Success	68.7
16	Tackles	13
75	Tackles Success	84.6
59.6	Possession	40.4
51.9	Territorial Advantage	48.1