Lennon leaves it late

Substitute Peter Crouch gave Harry Redknapp's team the lead with a trademark towering header in the 72nd minute but the lead lasted just three minutes before Lee Bowyer's tap-in levelled matters.

However, the hosts were rewarded for raining shots in on Joe Hart's goal all afternoon when Lennon fired home in the 95th minute to make it four wins from four.

It was a frustrating first half for Tottenham. They pressed forward at every opportunity but a combination of poor luck and bad finishing kept the game goalless.

Lennon might have had two goals, seeing one shot palmed away by Birmingham goalkeeper Hart and another blocked when it seemed he must score.

It was Jermain Defoe, however, who was most at fault. He did all the hard work, wriggling free and sprinting away from his pursuers, but then dragged his shot yards wide of its intended target.

Redknapp was forced to make a change at the start of the second half with Alan Hutton replacing the influential Ledley King, who had picked up a groin strain.

And two minutes later the fourth official was raising his board again after Luka Modric limped off with a leg injury. Crouch entered the fray and Tottenham's work became a shade more direct.

And in the space of six minutes Crouch could have had a hat-trick, one header crashing back off the bar and another being cleared off the line by Lee Carsley, until he finally found the net.

As it turned out the drama had only just begun. Fortunately for Redknapp, Lennon was on hand with a crisp right-footer to make sure it all ended happily.