Roman Pavlyuchenko fired a dramatic injury-time winner to make it a dream first week in charge at Spurs for Harry Redknapp and inflict on Liverpool a first league defeat of the season.
After beating Bolton in his first game in charge and seeing his side produce a miraculous comeback to snatch a point against arch rivals Arsenal, Redknapp weaved his magic again to steer his side to a memorable victory over the league leaders.
Despite falling behind to an early strike from Dirk Kuyt, Tottenham showed all their fighting qualities in the second half and an own goal from Jamie Carragher and a late strike from Pavlyuchenko helped them move off the bottom of the table
Redknapp might be planning changes in the January transfer window, but there is no question he has already installed a fighting spirit which can see his team move away from the bottom three.
Tottenham fans made their feelings known towards Robbie Keane who was making his first appearance back in north London since making a £20million move to Anfield during the summer.
The boo-boys were quickly silenced as Keane played an instrumental role in helping Liverpool get off to a dream start on three minutes.
Keane turned Ledley King inside the box and laid the ball in to Kuyt, who smashed a right-foot shot past Heurelho Gomes into the roof of the net.
The league leaders could have doubled their lead on five minutes. Steven Gerrard's inswinging corner caused all kinds of problems for Darren Bent standing on the goal-line and he luckily deflected his shot on to the post.
Redknapp believes Luka Modric can become the new hero at White Hart Lane and the Croatian star finally burst into action on 40 minutes.
The ball fell to the talented midfielder on the edge of the box and he somehow managed to squeeze his shot through the Liverpool defence, which forced a fine save from Pepe Reina, who held on to the ball at the second attempt.
Disgruntled Tottenham fans were making their feelings known towards Redknapp before the break and were once again calling for the return of Jermain Defoe to the club.
The Spurs manager was clearly unhappy with his team's first-half display and made a double substitution at half-time bringing on Alan Hutton and Pavlyuchenko.
The move paid off straight away as Pavlyuchenko almost got his side back on level terms within the opening 60 seconds of the second half, when he drilled a low shot just past the post.
But Liverpool always looked dangerous on the counter-attack and had two golden chances to add a second early in the second half.
Gerrard's shot deflected off King's elbow and Gomes did well to tip the ball on to the post on 49 minutes.
The woodwork came to Tottenham's rescue once again on 52 minutes. Gomes produced yet another howler when his weak pass to King was intercepted by Keane who laid the ball to Gerrard.
The England midfielder only had one thing on his mind but saw his shot bounce off the top of the bar.
Liverpool were dominating the proceedings and came close again on 57 minutes.
Gerrard's free-kick picked out Xabi Alonso who was totally unmarked at the far post, but he somehow directed his close-range effort the wrong side of the post.
Liverpool were made to pay for all their missed opportunities when Tottenham snatched an equaliser on 68 minutes.
David Bentley's corner caused all kinds of problems for the Liverpool defence as King rose with Carragher, but it was the Liverpool defender who turned the ball past his own keeper.
Tottenham fans would have settled for a point at that stage, but the evening was to get even better for the home supporters as Pavlyuchenko snatched an unlikely victory right at the death.
Bentley's shot was saved by Reina, before Darren Bent cut the ball back for Pavlyuchenko to slide the ball into the back of the net from close range.
