An exhilarating North London derby, which saw Tottenham open and finish strongly despite letting Arsenal dominate more during the second half. And another entertaining draw, one which left both teams halted in their European ambitions for next season. All points count at this stage, however, and for Spurs it was a triumph to escape defeat against their fierce rivals in the 94th minute.
Spurs captain Ledley King was back to bolster the defence, allowing Ricardo Rocha to deputise on the left. Arsenal started Cesc Fabregas on the bench, and with no van Persie or Henry had Fredrik Ljungberg partnering Emanuel Adebayor up front. Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov were the front men for the home team, and the latter had a chance after only a few seconds when, in position in front of goal, he managed to control a ball with his head, bend his body and nearly chip it on target. Spurs piled on the pressure and Arsenal only managed to respond with an attack of their own in the 7th minute. On 10 minutes Adebayor scored without realising that a flag had been lifted for offside on Ljungberg, who had fed him the ball with a nice move.
Both teams enjoyed spells of possession, the home team perhaps even more creative with them than their visitors. Some lovely efforts by the front men and Aaron Lennon came close and Didier Zokora, eager to put a ball past his Ivory Coast friends in the Arsenal defence, made a run and tried an ambitious shot from 30 yards. A skilful attempt by Berbatov yielded the corner kick which put Spurs ahead. Michael Dawson won the ball and nicely headed it down to Keane, who headed it past Lehmann. Clichy, who had lost his man, could only watch. A few minutes later afforded another chance as Keane and Berbatov set up Zokora; the midfielder went for a wide shot rather than passing it back to Berbatov, however, and a later weak shot by Keane into the arms of Lehmann was as close as it got. At the very end of the first half Eboue and Hleb combined nicely to create Arsenal’s best chance, but Eboue’s shot hit the post and Adebayor, free in front of goal, headed the rebound away.
The second half saw an increase in Arsenal pressure, testing the solidity of the Spurs defence as well as the solidity of the goalposts with chances for Toure, Rosicky, Adebayor and Fabregas. Spurs found it difficult to get back in the game and were soon punished for a weakness in defending against set pieces. Rosicky was adjudicated to have been brought down and Fabregas, who had replaced the injured Ljungberg, took the ensuing free kick well. Toure, waiting at the far post and having escaped Chimbonda, was able to tap it in past a bewildered England goalkeeper. 15 minutes later it was time again: substitute Tom Huddlestone was harshly punished for a challenge on Toure and Fabregas again found a good mark for his free kick – Adebayor powerfully headed it into goal.
With 10 minutes to go, Martin Jol made an attacking substitution, putting Jermain Defoe on for Zokora, in an attempt to salvage something from a game that had started so well. Steed Malbranque, who had replaced an injured Teemu Tainio, looked lively and forced Lehmann to a save, but despite considerable effort, the game seemed lost for Spurs. A great chance in injury time came to nothing, but with what was going to be the last kick in the game, in the 94th minute, Jermaine Jenas came up with an answer. Chimbonda passed the ball from the right, Jenas played one-two with Malbranque and got his 25 yard shot on target. The fans were ecstatic and, as sometimes happens, in that moment, the equaliser felt like a winner.
Tottenham
Robinson, Chimbonda, King, Dawson, Rocha, Lennon (Huddlestone 72), Zokora (Defoe 82), Jenas, Tainio (Malbranque 60), Berbatov, Keane.
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Ifil.
Booked: Berbatov, Zokora.
Goals: Keane 30, Jenas 90.
Arsenal
Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Hleb (Senderos 90), Silva, Diaby, Rosicky (Julio Baptista 66), Ljungberg (Fabregas 39), Adebayor.
Subs Not Used: Almunia, Denilson.
Booked: Lehmann, Diaby.
Goals: Toure 64, Adebayor 78.
Attendance: 36,050
Referee: M Dean
Jermaine Jenas and Robbie Keane, goal scorers for Spurs (Image from www.tottenhamhotspur.com)
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