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Spurs logo
Premier League
Dec 29, 2007 at 3pm UK
 
Reading logo

6-4

Malbranque (76'), Berbatov (7', 63', 73', 83'), Defoe (79')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Ingimarsson (53'), Cisse (16'), Kitson (69', 74')

On this day: Tottenham Hotspur, Reading play out 10-goal clash

Six years ago today, Tottenham Hotspur defeated visiting Reading 6-4 at White Hart Lane.

In September 2007, Reading took on Portsmouth at Fratton Park and ended up losing 7-4 to their hosts. It was and still is the highest scoring match in Premier League history.

However, the Royals ran that record extremely close on this very day in the same year, this time during a trip to Tottenham Hotspur. After the final whistle was blown, they had been involved in a 10-goal contest.

Hosts Spurs made a quick start to the match and took the lead with just six minutes on the clock. Robbie Keane was the creator as he crossed for Dimitar Berbatov, who found the back of the net from close range. It would not be the last time that the Bulgarian haunted Reading.

Nevertheless, the visitors drew themselves level 10 minutes later courtesy of centre-back Kalifa Cisse. Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson could only parry Nicky Shorey's effort from distance and Cisse was on hand to turn in the rebound.

Kalifa Cisse, then of Reading, celebrates scoring against Tottenham Hotspur on December 29, 2007.© Getty Images

Full-back Shorey was then involved as Reading went in front eight minutes after the restart. It was his corner that was met by Ivar Ingimarsson, who headed beyond the reach of Robinson.

The away side started to mount pressure on Spurs and a third Reading goal looked inevitable, but on two occasions Robinson did well to thwart striker Dave Kitson.

The keeper's work was then rewarded as his side pegged back Reading in the 63rd minute. Graeme Murty's clearance dropped straight to Berbatov and the centre-forward responded by sending the ball into the roof of the goal.

Back came Reading, though, as Steve Coppell's men regained a one-goal advantage in the 69th minute. Shorey once again claimed an assist from a corner, which on this occasion was converted by Kitson.

Dimitar Berbatov, then of Tottenham Hotspur, celebrates scoring against Reading on December 29, 2007.

Yet, the lead lasted just four minutes as Berbatov completed his hat-trick when he volleyed inside the near post, but 60 seconds later, Reading once again went in front when Kitson raced onto Stephen Hunt's through-ball, before lifting the ball over an advancing Robinson.

Tottenham would ultimately materialise as the victors, though, courtesy of three goals in the final 14 minutes. First Steed Malbranque drew them level at four goals apiece and then substitute Jermain Defoe headed in after Marcus Hahnemann had saved Keane's effort from the penalty spot.

The final say went to Berbatov, who beat Hahnemann for a fourth time to seal a 6-4 victory for the North Londoners.

"It was great entertainment and if you were impartial it would have been a magnificent game to watch. Once we got in front three times we should have put the game to bed, but our nature is to attack. As a unit, we've got to question some of what we did. Defensively, we made some bad decisions," said Reading boss Coppell during his post-match interview.

SPURS: Robinson; Chimbonda, Kaboul, King (Defoe), Lee; Lennon (Boateng), Jenas, Huddlestone, Malbranque; Berbatov, Keane (Tainio)

READING: Hahnemann; Murty (De la Cruz), Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey; Hunt, Cisse, Harper, Convey (Long); Doyle, Kitson

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Jermain Defoe of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates as he scores the first goal during the Carling Cup Quarter Final match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southend United at White Hart Lane on December 20, 2006
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