Tottenham Hotspur 2 Birmingham City 1

The Premier League game between Tottenham Hotspur and Birmingham City at White Hart Lane on Saturday Aug 29, 2009.

Tottenham's perfect start continued in dramatic fashion at White Hart Lane when Aaron Lennon claimed the winner in the fifth minute of added time.

Peter Crouch came on to score his first League goal for Spurs in the second half and after Lee Bowyer took advantage of sloppy defending to claim an equaliser three minutes later, Lennon maintained Spurs’ 100 per cent start to the season.

After winning their opening three Premier League games they saw Chelsea move to the top after needlessly wasting two points.

With Luka Modric outstanding on the left side of midfield before his injury-forced departure, Birmingham City found themselves on the defensive for long spells.

After Aaron Lennon and Tom Huddlestone had seen shots blocked and Roy Keane had miss-hit from close range, former Spurs defender Stephen Carr came to Birmingham’s rescue, blocking Lennon’s attempt in front of goal.

Birmingham rarely threatened in the opening half though Carlo Cudicini parried an effort from Sebastian Larsson, who then shot narrowly wide.

Spurs made a change at the interval with Ledley King, beset by injury problems, failing to appear.

And within two minutes of the restart, Modric needed treatment on his right knee. With the Croatian still off, Birmingham almost scored, with Lee Carsley directing an attempt narrowly wide of the left post.

Modric failed to return and left gingerly – something that will concern Croatia manager Slaven Bilic ahead of the World Cup qualifier against England.

Peter Crouch came on, with Robbie Keane dropping into midfield, and Spurs were quick to force another chance, but Defoe hesitated and squandered the opportunity.

Birmingham felt they deserved a penalty, in the 57th minute, when Wilson Palacios shoved Garry O’Connor.

But Spurs took hold again and Crouch was denied four times in five minutes. Firstly, his stooping header was tipped aside by Hart, and then England striker was denied again with Roger Johnson clearing his header off the line.

And when Keane crossed for Crouch, another attempt struck the cross bar, before Lee Carsley blocked another effort on the goal line.

Crouch finally got what he deserved, heading Huddlestone’s free kick beyond Hart in the 72nd minute but Spurs conceded a sloppy goal three minutes late when Substitute Christian Benítez robbed Alan Hutton and Lee Bowyer poached the equaliser.

But, with a win looking unlikely, Lennon stole the winner deep into added time.