Tottenham Hotspur 3 Manchester City 4

Last updated : 04 February 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Ten-man Manchester City pulled off one of the greatest FA Cup comebacks of all time when they responded from being 3-0 down to beat Spurs 4-3 at White Hart Lane to the obvious delight of manager Kevin Keegan.

With extra time looking likely second-half substitute Jon Macken sent a looping header over the head of Kasey Keller to put City into a fifth round tie with their arch-rivals Manchester United.

Keegan said: "That was one of the comebacks of all time and it will be talked about long after we have gone.

"I have been involved in one or two 4-3's in my time but that one was something special.

"The comeback was due to our fans because they were chanting for the team when we were losing and the boys responded to them." Ledley King fired Spurs in front by blasting the ball into the top corner leaving Arni Arason, making his debut in the City goal, no chance.

Robbie Keane picked up an accurate long ball from Steve Carr and, after a superb first touch to set himself, lifted the ball over the advancing Arason with a cool finish to take his tally to 11 for the season.

Christian Ziege rammed home Spurs' dominance with a spectacular 23-yard free-kick which sailed into the top corner giving the luckless Arason no chance.

City's job was made harder when, on the stroke of half time, referee Styles sent off Joey Barton for dissent.

The away side came out fighting and immediately clawed one back when Michael Tarnat found the unmarked head of Sylvain Distin with a free-kick and he headed home from close range.

Arason twice pulled off match-winning saves to deny Gus Poyet.

The game took yet another twist on the hour when Paul Bosvelt's shot took a deflection off of Anthony Gardner and looped over Keller to give City a lifeline.

Shaun Wright-Phillips cleverly lifted the ball over Keller and wheeled away to the Manchester City fans in delight and then Macken headed home in injury time when unmarked inside the box to leave Tottenham's season in tatters.

"We are shell-shocked," said Spurs boss David Pleat. "We just couldn't finish them off tonight.

"That was a massive, massive result for City and our fans must be shattered after that."