Manchester United visit White Hart Lane on Sunday, looking to complete the double over a Tottenham side who sit 12 points above them in the Premier League table.
Here, Press Association Sport looks at seven memorable league meetings between the old rivals.
Oct 1965, Division One: Tottenham 5 Man Utd 1
The Red Devils arrived in North London as league champions but left with tails between their legs after a comprehensive thrashing. A star-studded United side was over-run as Jimmy Robertson, Alan Gilzean, Eddie Clayton and Neil Johnson all got on the scoresheet. But the game is best remembered for Jimmy Greaves’ wonderful solo goal, dancing past a handful of defenders before rounding Pat Dunne and slotting into an empty net. The result must have stung because United reversed it at Old Trafford just two months later.
Feb 6 1971, Division One: Man Utd 2 Tottenham 1
An encounter that earns its place on the list for a moment of brilliance from the great George Best. The finish, against Northern Ireland team-mate Jennings, will be familiar to millions as Best takes a headed clearance on his chest before lifting an impossibly delicate lob over the line. Between Best and the goal stood Jennings plus five white shirts but the connection was instinctive and perfect.
Dec 1986, Division One: Man Utd 3 Tottenham 3
Following two successive goalless draws between the sides, this was an all-action classic. United were 2-0 in front through Norman Whiteside and Peter Davenport but Tottenham rallied superbly to take the lead through Gary Mabbutt’s diving header, Kevin Moran’s own-goal and Clive Allen’s third. The drama was not over, though, with Davenport slotting a late penalty to save the draw.
May 1999, Premiership: Man Utd 2 Tottenham 1
A memorable day in a memorable treble-winning season for United. Victory saw them clinch the league title at Arsenal’s expense in front of their own fans, as well as an away contingent who were unusually content with the taste of defeat. A draw would have handed Spurs’ bitter rivals the trophy and although Les Ferdinand’s opener threatened just that, David Beckham and Andy Cole were on hand either side of half-time to snatch the points.
Sep 2001, Premiership: Tottenham 3 Man Utd 5
One of United’s most stirring comebacks of the Premier League era and one which may have contributed to Sir Alex Ferguson’s noted scepticism of Spurs’ heart. Goals from Dean Richards, Les Ferdinand and Christian Ziege left the home side on easy street at half-time but the second half was all United’s. Andy Cole was on target almost immediately after the restart, with Laurent Blanc and Ruud van Nistelrooy levelling matters. Juan Sebastian Veron put the visitors ahead for the first time and David Beckham added the cherry late on.
Jan 2005, Premiership: Man Utd 0 Tottenham 0
One of the more talked about stalemates in recent years, mostly because it should not have been goalless in the first place. Pedro Mendes’ speculative effort from a couple of yards inside the United half looped into Roy Carroll’s arms, popped out again and bounced visibly over the line before the Northern Irishman scrambled it clear while tangled in netting. Somehow the officials failed to award the goal and the case for goal-line technology was gifted one of its most persuasive case studies.
Sep 2012, Premier League: Man Utd 2 Tottenham 3
After a 23-year wait in the league, Tottenham finally boarded the team bus at Old Trafford as winners. A Jonny Evans own-goal and Gareth Bale’s strike were enough for a 2-0 lead at the break before three goals in as many minutes left everyone in the ground breathless. Nani and Shinji Kagawa scored either side of a Clint Dempsey reply in a frenetic passage that added considerably to the drama without changing the result.
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