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On this day: Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur share six goals evenly

Twenty-nine years ago today, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur played out a six-goal encounter at Old Trafford.

Traditionally whenever Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur come face to face, one thing is invariably guaranteed - goals.

Few will forget United's famous comeback at White Hart Lane in September 2001, when trailing 3-0 at the break, they responded in the second half to win 5-3. Spurs have also had their fair share of famous high-scoring victories in this fixture, including dishing out a 4-1 hammering on New Year's Day in 1996.

There have, of course, been some entertaining draws along the way as well, one of which was played out at Old Trafford 29 years ago today and prompted BBC Sport commentator John Motson to say at the final whistle: "Down the years few clubs have provided better entertainment when they've met than Spurs and Manchester United. This particular match goes down in that hall of memories."

It took the visiting North Londoners a mere 60 seconds to create the first meaningful chance, which Clive Allen really should have converted. United goalkeeper Chris Turner was unable to hold Graham Roberts's downward header, but his blushes were spared when from just a yard out, Allen turned the rebound against the post.

There were no such problems for United frontman Norman Whiteside in the 12th minute, though, when Gordon Strachan rolled the ball across the face of the Spurs goal for the Northern Irishman to bundle in.

Kevin Moran then spurned a good chance to double the home team's advantage when he fired wide, yet United didn't miss with their next opportunity. Spurs midfielder Paul Allen was caught in possession inside his own area and from a tight angle, Peter Davenport was able to squeeze his low shot beyond veteran goalkeeper Ray Clemence.

Seemingly in a comfortable position and heading for all three points, after the restart Alex Ferguson's United then somehow contrived to not only squander their two-goal lead, but also fall behind.

First to get Spurs back into contention was centre-back Gary Mabbutt, who made the most of the space that he was afforded to power in a diving header from Glenn Hoddle's corner.

Then, in a comedy of errors, Hoddle's chipped effort was pushed towards his own goal by Turner. It appeared that Moran had got back just in time to retrieve the situation, but the United centre-back inexplicably volleyed the ball into his own net.

There were 73 minutes on the clock when Spurs took the lead, much to the disbelief of most of those inside the ground. Chris Waddle's cross caught out a hapless Turner and Clive Allen stooped to head in his 22nd goal of the campaign.

However, in keeping with the unpredictability that this fixture has so often provided, that was not the end of the drama as United battled back two minutes from the end to claim a share of the spoils.

Spurs substitute Danny Thomas hauled down Bryan Robson as the United skipper bore down on goal and from the resultant penalty, United's number 10 Davenport found the back of the net, despite Clemence getting both hands to the ball.

Man United: Turner; Duxbury, Moran, McGrath (Stapleton), Sivebaek; Strachan, Moses, Robson, Olsen; Whiteside, Davenport

Spurs: Clemence; Roberts, Gough, Mabbutt, D Thomas; Waddle, Galvin, Hoddle, Ardiles (M Thomas), P Allen; C Allen

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Chris Waddle of England in action during the European Championship qualifying match against Yugoslavia at Wembley Stadium in London. England won the match 2-0.
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11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
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20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416


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