OSCC Benchmark PHP vs Python.
Try to download it and read. My first remark while going through: "they are comparing non object oriented language with a fully object oriented language"
Take look at this:
Language Shoot Out
This OO Benchmark PHP/Python/Perl/Ruby
and This
and quote from one of the link above
Even Rasmus Lerdorf, the creator of PHP, admits this. In this interview from SitePoint, Rasmus is asked about how to make PHP fast. He answers "Well, you can't".
I leave the rest "à vous".
Edited: The puzzle some how answered, thanks EAFaisal for clearing this out. (under comments)