Clemence denies depleted Derby

Clemence was in the right place at the right time

Tottenham 1-1 Derby

Stephen Clemence scored a cheeky stoppage-time equaliser to rescue Spurs from the ignominy of a home defeat at the hands of Derby's 10 men.

With time ticking away the visitors, who had Stefan Schnoor sent off before half-time, looked to be heading for the vicory that would confirm their place in the Premiership for another season.

Match facts

39: Schnoor dismissed for second bookable offence

63: Carbonari volleys Derby into the lead

90: Clemence bundles home a late leveller

Horacio Carbonari had deservedly fired Derby in front mid-way through the second half as they fought gamely despite their depleted numbers.

But Tottenham launched a late bombardment on the Rams area and Clemence snatched the point with a point-blank back-heel deep into injury time - his first ever Premiership goal.

The result did little to cheer the home support, as the Spurs players left the pitch to the sound of boos.

Derby may not be mathematically safe - but after another away point only a remarkable run of results will now see them relegated.

Schnoor off

Derby began in enthusiastic fashion and Spurs keeper Ian Walker was forced into the first save of the game following a strong run and shot from Rory Delap.

But Stephen Carr almost put the home side ahead just two seconds later, but his thumping shot ricocheted against the bar after Darren Anderton's ball over the top of the defence.

A similar pass from Anderton gave Steffen Iversen a chance for a spectacular opener, but the Norwegian volleyed wide.

Derby's best chance of the first half came when Delap linked with Malcolm Christie - but the young striker saw his low shot saved superbly by Walker at full stretch.

Derby suffered a major blow five minutes before half-time when they were reduced to 10 men.

Schnoor, who had been booked just six minutes earlier for deliberately using his hand to break up a Spurs attack, hacked down Chris Armstrong and was shown his second yellow card.

The decision infuriated Derby manager Jim Smith - and at half-time he had to be steered away by a policeman as he confronted referee Neale Barry as the official left the pitch.

Carbonari makes it count

If Derby were distraught at losing the German defender, it did not appear to affect them adversely as they took control after the break.

Spurs sent on Wales midfielder Simon Davies for his home debut at the start of the second half and he was soon in the thick of the action, heading wide from Anderton's cross.

Tottenham were unable to make their numerical advantage count and 18 minutes into the second half the visitors took the lead.

First Carbonari had a goal-bound shot blocked on the line by Clemence - but from the Argentinian made no mistake from the subsequent corner.

Delap crossed from the right-hand by-line and Carbonari - who was unmarked in the box - swivelled on the spot and smacked a fierce right-foot volley past the despairing Walker.

Late onslaught

Spurs, smarting at the prospect of suffering a home defeat against 10 men, battled forward and created a string of openings.

Carr blazed a shot over the bar and rookie striker Dave McEwen - who replaced home hero David Ginola - sent an angled header wide and then fluffed a glorious chance from 12 yards out.

But, with the White Hart Lane faithful clearly frustrated with their team's efforts, the equaliser finally arrived.

Anderton sent over a corner from the right, Sol Campbell headed goal-wards and though his effort was blocked on the line, Clemence was on hand to back-heel the ball into the net.

Teams:

Tottenham: Walker, Carr, Perry, Campbell, Young, Korsten, Anderton, Clemence, Ginola, Iversen, Armstrong.
Subs: Baardsen, McEwen, Etherington, Davies, Gardner.

Derby: Poom, Carbonari, Schnoor, Laursen, Burley, Delap, Powell, Johnson, Kinkladze, Burton, Christie.
Subs: Oakes, Jackson, Elliott, Boertien, Murray.

Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe)