Last-gasp Dempsey clinches point for Spurs (From Haringey Independent)

Last-gasp Clint Dempsey grabs point for Tottenham Hotspur against Manchester United at White Hart Lane

6:00pm Sunday 20th January 2013 in Sport By Chris Hewett

A dramatic last minute goal from Clint Dempsey earned Tottenham Hotspur a 1-1 draw against Manchester United in the snow at White Hart Lane.

Robin Van Persie gave the visitors an early lead and United looked like holding on for the win before Clint Dempsey popped up to score in stoppage time for Spurs.

Tottenham’s fans dared to dream of a first league double over the Red Devils since the 1989/1990 season after winning the fixture at Old Trafford earlier this season.

But the dream turned into a nightmare as Van Persie put the visitors in front when he headed home from close range on 25 minutes.

Spurs’ defence was asleep when Danny Welbeck found Tom Cleverley on the right hand side and the winger was given time to pick out the unmarked Van Persie at the far post.

Spurs pressed hard for a leveller but a resolute United defence appeared to have seen the game out when Dempsey took the roof off White Hart Lane with a goal in the 93rd minute.

Lennon latched onto David De Gea’s mis-timed punch and squared to the American who slotted inside the left hand post to earn his side a deserved point.

Spurs had most of the possession in the first half and David De Gea had to be on his toes to keep out Defoe’s flashed shot into the near post from a tight angle moments after the goal.

The Spanish goalkeeper did even better to block Gareth Bale’s drilled shot from the edge of the box which took a deflection off Phil Jones at the end of a half offering few chances.

Tottenham, missing Jan Vertonghen who started the game on the bench, looked disorganised at the back and almost let in Welbeck who bundled his way through on the left hand side in stoppage time in the first half.

Spurs should have levelled through Clint Dempsey early in the second half but the American shot straight at De Gea from close range after a jinking run into the box from Mousa Dembele.

Tottenham were pressing for an equaliser with less than half an hour to play but leaving themselves exposed as they pushed men forward.

Substitute Wayne Rooney had a good penalty shout turned down moments after coming on when he tangled legs with Stephen Caulker inside the box.

Defoe uncharacteristically dithered on the ball when he was played in by Lennon late on, allowing Ferdinand to get back and block his left footed shot.

Dempsey forced a save from De Gea at the near post but Spurs were struggling to carve out any clear cut chances.

United could have doubled their lead had Welbeck been able to latch on to Van Persie’s low cross on the counter attack but Spurs forced the visitors onto the back foot in the frantic closing stages.

Despite their efforts, Spurs’ chance of salvaging something from the game looked to have gone before Dempsey fired in to give his side a point.

Tottenham now travel to Leeds next weekend to continue their FA Cup campaign knowing they remain safely in fourth place in the league, four points clear of Everton.

Tottenham: Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Caulker, Naughton (Assou-Ekotto, 69), Lennon, Parker (Huddlestone, 79), Dembele, Bale, Dempsey, Defoe. Subs: Friedel, Vertonghen, Sigurdsson, Livermore, Townsend.

Man Utd: De Gea, Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Jones, Carrick, Cleverley, Kagawa (Rooney , 66), Welbeck, van Persie. Subs: Lindegaard, Valencia, Anderson, Giggs, Smalling, Hernandez.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

Bookings: Carrick, 21, Dawson, 29, Evra, 43, Rooney, 78.