Since we were last in the Premier League Tottenham have gone from strength to strength under Mauricio Pochettino. They are now Champions League regulars and it will be considered a major shock if we take any points from the forthcoming encounter. However, in the early years of our 13 season stay, we regularly gave them a run for their money. Therefore although they had done the double on us in our first campaign up we approached this early season fixture at our new home at Loftus Road with some hope we could turn the tables on them. Having said that Glen Hoddle’s side were in 2nd place having gone unbeaten in their first 5 games so it was always going to be a tough proposition.
Things seemed even tougher by the interval as after an even start to proceedings Dean Richards headed the visitors in front after 35 minutes and Teddy Sheringham poached a second on the stroke of half time. The cockerels in the away end were crowing loudly but Fulham started the second half undaunted and set about Spurs with real vigour. Sean Davis was pulling the strings and when Junichi Inamoto lashed home after a Davis shot was blocked in the 68th-minute real hope was restored.
Fulham attacked remorselessly but Spurs seemed to be weathering the storm until Barry Hayles was brought down on the edge of the box in the 84thminute. After some hesitation, the penalty was awarded and Steed Malbranque stepped up to slot home and send us level. I would have been over the moon with a point from the position we were in but as the clock ticked into the last of the five minutes of added time we launched one last attack.
Spurs were by now defending desperately and suddenly Sylvain Legwinski wriggled into space in the Spurs box and clipped a shot over the despairing Kasey Keller to seal the most unlikely of victories and damn near take the lid off our temporary base. Over 16 years have elapsed since that night but the memory still makes me tingle.
The Teams
Fulham: Van der Sar, Finnan, Knight, Goma, Wome (Collins 81), Davis, Legwinski, Inamoto, Boa Morte (Malbranque 45), Saha (Hayles 21), Sava.
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Melville.
Tottenham: Keller, Bunjevcevic, Perry (Doherty 80), Richards, Gardner, Thatcher, Acimovic (Ziege 73), Etherington (Iversen 84), Davies, Ferdinand, Sheringham.
Subs Not Used: Hirschfeld, Keane
Attendance: 16,757.
Christian Damiano: “We have fantastic spirit in the squad & we never stopped believing that we could win.”
Glenn Hoddle: “Although we conceded three goals, it could have been five. That’s how poor we were.”
What the fans said:
Legwinskiiiiiiiiii !!!!!!!!
— Dave (@doydoy64) January 13, 2019
One of my closest pals sat with me; a Spurs fan. He had to jump up and pretend he was happy, we (I) continue to reminisce years later ! Plus he had to pay for the curry after.
— Gerry Pimm (@gerrypimm) January 16, 2019
Getting squashed to bits by my dad, knees totally smashed on the seats in front and my glasses getting knocked off & breaking! Lording it over everyone when back to School ?
— Em (@efp23) January 16, 2019
We were completely outplayed in first half…0-2 down. Simon Davies ran us ragged! Atmosphere changed when Sean Davis hit the bar in the second half…And when Leggy got the ball near the end, we were all shouting at him to keep it (for the draw). He ignored us. Then ecstasy!
— geoff duffield (@geoffduffield) January 13, 2019
1. How empty the away end was by the time we’d finished celebrating the winner
2. Thinking on leaving that’d probably be the highlight of the season. It was.— Paddy Sturdee (@PJS2909) January 16, 2019
Jumped on a stewards back when Legwinski scored lol
— Sean Waller (@Sean23Waller) January 16, 2019
Wome knocking out Chris Perry with a filthy challenge over the top and into his chin(no red), meaning there were 5mins of added time at the end…just enough time for Leggy to do his thing!
— Morgan Calton (@mccalton) January 13, 2019
Completely unreal! One minute silence for Sept 11, my favs Junichi, Steed and then Leggy scoring that goal in the final minute! Oh the celebrations!!! We were in the stand near the away fans ? #believe
— Shehnaz Hansraj (@ShehnazinLondon) January 13, 2019
Bloke a couple of seats next to me offering 2000 to 1 on a fulham win at 2 down
— Ben ak 47 (@BenHolloway79) January 13, 2019
Amazing night, only 3 points and a more tricky journey back from QPR, but almost tears at the the end, sensational comeback.
— John Barnett (@barnacle1977) January 13, 2019
Getting up to leave when Spurs scored their third, then being glad we stayed after it was ruled offside. And walking into my Spurs-dominated office the next morning with the daft smile still on my face.
— Rhys Lewis (@rhyslew70) January 14, 2019
Malbranque changing the game and Leggys winner, great game.
— MJG (@1966MJG) January 16, 2019
The cuts across my legs from the seats at the loftadrome and edwin celebrating with the fans at the final whistle
— Russ SW6 (@rhenriwalker) January 16, 2019
A load of gobby Spurs stereotypes giving it the large in home areas at half time. Watched some slump back in their chairs with their heads in their hands when Leggy scored. Priceless
— HILLINGDONFFC (@JustinCorbin4) January 16, 2019
