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On this day: Sol Campbell seals late Tottenham Hotspur comeback against Leeds

Sixteen years ago today, Sol Campbell scored a 93rd-minute equaliser to rescue a point for Tottenham in a six-goal thriller against Leeds.

It is safe to say that Sol Campbell is not the most popular of figures amongst Tottenham Hotspur supporters nowadays.

Following a 10-year stay at White Hart Lane, during which time he became the club captain and made 255 appearances, the centre-back became the Premier League's first high-profile Bosman transfer when he joined Spurs' North London rivals Arsenal in 2001.

Sol Campbell of Tottenham Hotspurs during the FA Carling Premiership match against Leeds at White Hart Lane on September 26, 1998© Getty Images

His subsequent returns to the Lane were greeted with derision as Tottenham fans shouted down at a man they now referred to as 'Judas'.

However, there was a time when the former England international was a hero of the very same fans, and in a match against Leeds United 16 years ago today, he showed exactly why.

A goal in the third minute of stoppage time sealed a comeback point for Spurs at White Hart Lane, capping off a six-goal thriller that saw the spoils shared.

It was the visitors who opened the scoring when Gunnar Halle was left unmarked from six yards out to nod home an Ian Harte corner after just four minutes.

Spurs were level just 10 minutes later, and it was a similar strike that restored parity. Darren Anderton's corner was met by Ramon Vega, who steered his downward header in off the post.

Leeds were soon back ahead, however, as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink netted his second of the season with a poacher's finish from close range, stealing in between Vega and goalkeeper Espen Baardsen to poke home a low Clyde Wijnhard cross from the right.

Hasselbaink turned provider after the break as the visitors doubled their advantage on the hour mark, Wijnhard the man to turn home at the second time of asking.

Spurs refused to lie down, however, and George Graham's decision to bring Steffen Iversen on yielded great rewards as the striker was left unmarked to volley home at the back post with just under 20 minutes remaining.

The hosts applied heavy pressure in their search for an equaliser, but they were forced to wait until the 93rd minute to find it as Campbell powered a header from Allan Nielsen's cross past the keeper and three defenders on the line to rescue a dramatic point.

The result was ultimately not enough to help Spurs to a top-half finish as they ended the campaign in 11th, while Leeds fared significantly better in fourth place.

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Barney Corkhill
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