On this day in 1957, Spurs claimed their first away win of the season at the usually unlucky destination of Old Trafford.
Even more remarkable, given Man Utd were third in the league at the time and took an early lead, but Spurs then came into their own (and went into overdrive) scoring 4 goals in a frantic 25 minute spell. Bobby Smith equalised and then put Spurs ahead before Danny Blanchflower’s brother, Jackie, scored an own goal for Spurs third. Smith then scored again to complete his hat-trick before half-time.
United showed determination in the second half and pulled two back in second half to make for a typical Spurs tense finish.
It was only the goalkeeping ability of Ted Ditchburn and the strength of Maurice Norman which saw Spurs through as they alone kept their heads when all around were losing theirs.
Team: Ditchburn; Baker, Hopkins; Blanchflower, Norman, Ryden; Medwin, Brooks, Smith, Harmer, Robb
Tottenham with their 4 – 3 win became the first London club to win at Old Trafford since 1938 and Bobby Smith was the first player to score a hat-trick against United at Old Trafford since 1950. Bobby Smith’s hat trick help towards his personal achievement of finish the season with 36 League goals to equal the club record – it would be beaten 5 years later when Jimmy Greaves hit 37 league goals in the season.