Spurs in History - 26th August

26th August, 1961

Spurs 4 Arsenal 3 (First Division)

Terry Dyson Hat-trick Hero

Spurs defence of the League Championship started with a win at Blackpool and a home draw against West Ham. For the second consecutive game they were without Dave Mackay and John White both injured.

The unexpected hero on this day was Terry Dyson who scored a hat-trick and remains the only Spurs player to score three against Arsenal. Spurs took an early two goal lead through Les Allen and Dyson but then Arsenal struck back and were 3-2 ahead with about fifteen minutes remaining. However, with seven minutes left Dyson scored twice inside two minutes for Spurs win and to put himself in the history records.

Spurs in History - 24th March

24th March, 1934

Newcastle United 1 Spurs 3 1st Division
A game which saw Spurs winning with a hat-trick from their prolific goal scoring centre forward, George Hunt. This was the second of his three hat-tricks in the space of six games and in total he scored five hat-tricks during the season including four in a game against Sheffield United. He scored 35 League and Cup goals in season 1933-34, as Spurs finished third in the League, to add to 36 the previous year and 26 in the season before that.
Hunt held the aggregate goal scoring record until Bobby Smith surpassed it. Capped by England on three occasions, he scored 138 goals in 198 appearances.

Spurs in History - 1st March

Ronnie Rosenthal

1st March, 1995
Southampton 2 Spurs 6 (aet) F.A.Cup 5th Round Replay

On 1st March, 1995 an unlikely hero stepped forward to rescue Spurs in a 5th Round Replay.  Spurs and Southampton had drawn 1-1 at White Hart Lane and when the Sheringham/Klinsmann team found themselves two goals down just before half-time at the Dell, their Cup dreams looked to be over.

The match is remembered for the remarkable comeback and for Ronny Rosenthal’s incredible three goal contribution to the win.  Spurs’ cause looked lost when they were two goals down before half time but an inspired substitution by Gerry Francis saw him brought on as substitute just before the interval.  Rosenthal scored twice to take the game into extra time, the second from twenty five yards.  Just returned from injury Rosenthal scored twice in two minutes, having been on the pitch less than fifteen minutes.  He outdid that goal in extra time with a shot from thirty yards to put Spurs ahead and complete his hat-trick.

Then goals from Teddy Sheringham, Nick Barmby and Darren Anderton completed the 6-2 rout.

‘Rocket’ Ronnie had made a name for himself in Spurs folklore.

Spurs in History - 22nd February

22nd February, 1937

Spurs 4 Everton 3 FA Cup 5th Round Replay

Spurs were a 2nd Division side and the match in Liverpool had seen them score through Jimmy McCormick with five minutes remaining, only for Everton who were in the 1st Division, to equalise in the last minute.

The 5th Round Replay, on the following Monday, surpassed that for excitement as Spurs looked to be going out of the Cup until a dramatic comeback. The pitch had been flooded and conditions were poor but Everton took control and went into a two goal lead. Spurs scored through Johnny Morrison in the 27th minute but in the second half after a Morrison ‘goal’ was disallowed, Everton extended their lead. With seven minutes remaining, Everton were awarded a penalty but the referee changed his decision as Everton had taken a throw-in incorrectly. A minute later Morrison scored Spurs' second, then with two minutes remaining Joe Meek equalised with a great solo goal and in the last minute Morrison scored the winner to complete his hat-trick and an amazing come-back by Spurs.

A Cup Classic witnessed by 46,972 spectators.

Spurs in History - 21st February

21st February, 1979

Wrexham 2 Spurs 3 FA Cup 4th Round Replay

Spurs were finding it difficult to re-establish themselves in the 1st Division having won promotion the previous year and their Cup progress in January, 1979 was proving problematic. They had the good fortune to receive a home tie in both of the opening rounds but progress in the Cup was being achieved the hard way as they had needed a replay to overcome non-League, Altrincham in the previous Round. The replay win over Altrincham had been Spurs’ first FA Cup success for six seasons, since defeating another non-League side, Margate, in 1973 which had been Bill Nicholson’s last FA Cup win as manager.

Again, drawn at home in the 4th Round, Wrexham proved equally as difficult. Spurs and Wrexham shared six goals with the 2nd Division side earning a deserved 3-3 draw in the first game at White Hart Lane. Glenn Hoddle, Chris Jones and an own goal accounted for Spurs’ quota.

Wrexham were deserving of the replay which went to extra time and Spurs can be grateful to an unlikely hero in Chris Jones who scored a hat-trick to secure victory. This was Spurs' second hat-trick in consecutive replays to see Spurs through by 3-2.

Spurs in History - 20th February

20th February, 1993

Spurs 4 Leeds United 0 Premiership

This was to be Terry Venables last season in charge of Spurs. He was putting together a promising team of experienced and younger players which was playing exciting, entertaining football as they won six consecutive League and Cup games. Teddy Sheringham who had been signed at the beginning of the season sfrom Nottingham Forest scored in the 9th minute and added his second before half-time. Neil Ruddock then added a third and Sheringham completed his first hat-trick for the Club with a penalty to give Spurs their best League win of the season, revenge for a five goal defeat at Elland Road in August.

Team work and the enthusiasm and skill of Nicky Barmby and Darren Anderton clearly demonstrated the entertaining style that had the fans believing that the good times were about to return to White Hart Lane.

Spurs in History - 6th February

6th February, 1982

Spurs 6 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 (1st Division)

Another of those Ricky Villa Days

This match marked the official opening of the new West Stand with the duties performed by Sir Stanley Rous, the former President of FIFA.

Spurs celebrated in grand style with an emphatic win over a poor Wolves side who were to be relegated at the end of the season. Ricky Villa rose to the occasion once again by scoring a hat-trick.

Glenn Hoddle scored Spurs' first goal from the penalty spot and hen Villa got his first. Wolves scored just before half-time but in the second half Villa completed his hat-trick while Garth Crooks and Mark Falco also added to the scoring.

Spurs in History - 3rd February

3rd February, 1960

Spurs 13 Crewe Alexandra 2 (FA Cup 4th Round Replay)

Having survived a difficult game the previous Saturday, this F.A.Cup 4th Round Replay was over, long before half-time, providing Spurs with their biggest ever win.

Spurs dominated the game from the beginning and were a goal ahead after two minutes through Bobby Smith. Two more followed from Les Allen and Smith before Crewe scored but then Tommy Harmer scored Spurs fourth after 20 minutes. Amazingly, Spurs led 10-1 by half-time and added another three in the second half. Les Allen enjoyed the game scoring five times, Bobby Smith scored four and Cliff Jones completed a hat-trick, including a penalty.

This was an outstanding performance and will probably never be equalled. However, Spurs were defeated by Blackburn, the eventual Cup winners in the next round.

Spurs in History - 2nd February

2nd February, 1987

Spurs 5 West Ham United 0 (League Cup 5th Round Replay)

This League Cup Replay, following a 1-1 draw the previous week, saw Spurs produce a top class performance with Ossie Ardiles and Glenn Hoddle in control, producing some very attractive football.

After six minutes Ardiles found Nico Claesen who scored and from then on, Spurs dominated the game but it was not until the 71st minute that they increased their lead with a Hoddle shot from 20 yards. In the last ten minutes Clive Allen came into his own, completing a hat-trick including a penalty after a foul on his cousin, Paul Allen.

This is a game often remembered by those present and set up a two-leg semi-final clash with North London neighbours, Arsenal.