It's Spurs: 1st January, 1985 - Spurs Take Highbury

On this day 27 years ago, Spurs took the short journey to Highbury and started the new year with a resounding victory over their near neighbours.

Happy New Year from Tottenham Spurs in History Blog

1st January, 1985

Arsenal 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2

Scorers:  Woodcock           Crooks, Falco

Team: Clemence; Stevens, Mabbutt, Roberts, Miller, Perryman, Chiedozie, Hoddle (Allen, C.) Galvin, Crooks, Falco.

Mark Falco

Spurs went into the game leading the 1st Division with 43 points from 22 matches while Arsenal were four points behind.  Also in the chasing pack were Everton, Liverpool and Manchester United.

Peter Shreeve had replaced Keith Burkinshaw as manager and Spurs had been top of the League for much of the first half of the season.

Arsenal dominated the first half at Highbury and took the lead through Tony Woodcock three minutes before half-time.  In the secdond half Spurs much greater determination and started to show the form that had seen them win four of their last five away games.  Captain, Steve Perryman led by example but on the hour it was Glenn Hoddle who demonstrated his magnificent skills as he played a long ball from deep in defence towards the Arsenal area.  It deceived defender and goalkeeper, allowing Garth Crooks to steal in and score his fifth goal in five games.

Tottenham continued to be more purposeful in their play and with seventeen minutes remaining, Tony Galvin passed to Mark Falco and his shot hit the back of the net.

Spurs started the new year with a win at Highbury and remained at the top of the 1st Division.  They didn't lose another away match for the rest of the season but poor home form saw Everton overtake them to win the title as Spurs slipped to third.

1st January, 1986

Roberts Takes out Nicholas at Highbury: Read More 

1st January, 1996 

Spurs 4 Manchester United 1: Read More