Spurs biggest matches as the underdog

It’s only in more recent times that Spurs have found themselves in big matches as the favourite or at least on the same level as our opponents. However, it wasn’t too long ago that we entered these games as the underdog. Sport is filled with stories of David vs Goliath, the plucky outsiders rising above the odds to snatch victory when the odds are stacked against them. Below are a few of the most recent games from our history when we wrote one of our own stories.

AC Milan 2011

Our first ride in the Champions League garnered much attention for our swashbuckling style and approach to the competition with no fear. We travelled to Milan as massive outsiders and pulled off one of the great “smash & grab” victories on the biggest European stage. A resolute defensive performance was rounded off with a magnificent counter-attack courtesy of Aaron Lennon’s blistering pace and Peter Crouch sweeping his cross into the bottom corner. The away-end erupted and gave us the perfect platform to go on and win the 2nd leg at home.

Manchester United 1996

This 1st January clash in 1996 had the majority of Spurs fan expecting the worst for the start of a new year. We faced a United side who eventually went on to win the league, but Spurs provided more than a little bump in the road.

Teddy Sheringham’s opening goal was instantly marked out by Andy Cole’s equaliser. Spurs dug deep though and overcame the colossus that was Manchester United. 2 goals by Chris Armstrong and 1 by Sol Campbell sealed an unbelievable 4-1 victory.

Ajax 2019

You could argue that both Spurs and Ajax were the underdogs in the Champions League this year, but all the so-called bigger clubs fell before them, setting up this classic semi-final encounter. At 2-0 down on the night and 3-0 down on aggregate, Spurs looked like they were done. Football has a peculiar knack of creating incredible stories from these sorts of positions though, and one of the greatest 2nd half performances in Champions League victory by hat-trick hero, Lucas Moura, saw us win the game in the dying seconds. Incredible scenes.

Manchester City 2010

Free-spending City were still at the beginning of their plans to dominate English football but several big money signings and home- advantage were all it needed to make Spurs the clear underdogs in this fixture. At stake was a place in the Champions League, a first for either club. An unbelievably close match played out with both teams coming close and grabbing the glory. Peter Crouch popped up again late on for Spurs though and his single goal put us back in Europe’s premier competition for the first time since 1961.