Dmac
04-22-2006, 03:06 PM
Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham
Thierry Henry came off the bench to deny Tottenham victory in the last north London derby at Highbury.
Spurs dominated the first half and took the lead on 66 minutes when Robbie Keane tapped in Edgar Davids' cross.
Arsenal were outraged that Spurs did not stop play for an injury but Henry wiped out the disappointment with a stunning finish six minutes from time.
Davids' dismissal meant Spurs had to hang on for a draw which leaves the race for fourth still open.
Before the game, Tottenham might have settled for the draw, which means they maintain their four-point advantage over the Gunners, but after having the better of the game, they will leave Highbury disappointed.
Martin Jol's side made a nervous start but after weathering some early pressure, they began to trouble the hosts - largely through the right-wing threat of Aaron Lennon.
The 19-year-old slipped a pass through for Jermain Defoe, whose weak effort was easily saved by Jens Lehmann with the unmarked Edgar Davids screaming for the ball.
Defoe almost redeemed himself moments later when he beat the offside trap, controlled Michael Carrick's lofted ball but saw his venemous shot cannon off Lehmann's face.
Tottenham saved the best of an impressive first-half for the last minute, Carrick beating three Arsenal challenges and Lehmann before shooting into the side netting from a tight angle.
However, with Henry looking ominously on from the bench, Spurs went in at half-time without a goal to show for their dominance.
They continued to press after the break, but when Emmanuel Eboue came on for the injured Philippe Senderos, Arsenal improved.
Robin Van Persie should have given Arsenal the lead on the hour when he easily beat the offside trap but lifted his shot over Robinson and wide.
That was the cue for Arsene Wenger to introduce Henry and Cesc Fabregas, but with Arsenal now looking the more likely to score, Spurs attacked on the break and got the goal their earlier superiority deserved.
Davids broke down the left and slid a perfect ball across for Keane to tap in at the far post.
As Keane celebrated, Arsenal's players took out their anger on Davids, who they felt should not have played on with Eboue lying injured in the centre circle after colliding with Gilberto.
And with the game threatening to boil over, Wenger and Spurs counterpart Jol squared up the touchline - and later refused to shake hands after the final whistle.
Arsenal would have eased their frustration even sooner had Jose Reyes' volley not been brilliantly saved by Robinson, but Henry had Highbury rocking for one final north London derby with a fabulous finish.
Fed by Adebayor, the French striker controlled and finished into the bottom right corner in one breathtaking move.
It could have been much worse for Spurs after Davids' rash tackle on Fabregas earned him a second yellow card, but they held on and go into their final two games with a four-point lead over their rivals, who have a game in hand.
Arsenal: Lehmann, Djourou, Senderos, Toure, Flamini, Pires, Silva, Diaby, Reyes, Adebayor, Van Persie. Subs: Almunia, Henry, Fabregas, Song Billong, Eboue.
Tottenham: Robinson, Stalteri, Dawson, Gardner, Lee, Lennon, Carrick, Davids, Tainio, Defoe, Keane. Subs: Cerny, Naybet, Kelly, Murphy, Barnard.
Referee: S Bennett (Kent)
Thierry Henry came off the bench to deny Tottenham victory in the last north London derby at Highbury.
Spurs dominated the first half and took the lead on 66 minutes when Robbie Keane tapped in Edgar Davids' cross.
Arsenal were outraged that Spurs did not stop play for an injury but Henry wiped out the disappointment with a stunning finish six minutes from time.
Davids' dismissal meant Spurs had to hang on for a draw which leaves the race for fourth still open.
Before the game, Tottenham might have settled for the draw, which means they maintain their four-point advantage over the Gunners, but after having the better of the game, they will leave Highbury disappointed.
Martin Jol's side made a nervous start but after weathering some early pressure, they began to trouble the hosts - largely through the right-wing threat of Aaron Lennon.
The 19-year-old slipped a pass through for Jermain Defoe, whose weak effort was easily saved by Jens Lehmann with the unmarked Edgar Davids screaming for the ball.
Defoe almost redeemed himself moments later when he beat the offside trap, controlled Michael Carrick's lofted ball but saw his venemous shot cannon off Lehmann's face.
Tottenham saved the best of an impressive first-half for the last minute, Carrick beating three Arsenal challenges and Lehmann before shooting into the side netting from a tight angle.
However, with Henry looking ominously on from the bench, Spurs went in at half-time without a goal to show for their dominance.
They continued to press after the break, but when Emmanuel Eboue came on for the injured Philippe Senderos, Arsenal improved.
Robin Van Persie should have given Arsenal the lead on the hour when he easily beat the offside trap but lifted his shot over Robinson and wide.
That was the cue for Arsene Wenger to introduce Henry and Cesc Fabregas, but with Arsenal now looking the more likely to score, Spurs attacked on the break and got the goal their earlier superiority deserved.
Davids broke down the left and slid a perfect ball across for Keane to tap in at the far post.
As Keane celebrated, Arsenal's players took out their anger on Davids, who they felt should not have played on with Eboue lying injured in the centre circle after colliding with Gilberto.
And with the game threatening to boil over, Wenger and Spurs counterpart Jol squared up the touchline - and later refused to shake hands after the final whistle.
Arsenal would have eased their frustration even sooner had Jose Reyes' volley not been brilliantly saved by Robinson, but Henry had Highbury rocking for one final north London derby with a fabulous finish.
Fed by Adebayor, the French striker controlled and finished into the bottom right corner in one breathtaking move.
It could have been much worse for Spurs after Davids' rash tackle on Fabregas earned him a second yellow card, but they held on and go into their final two games with a four-point lead over their rivals, who have a game in hand.
Arsenal: Lehmann, Djourou, Senderos, Toure, Flamini, Pires, Silva, Diaby, Reyes, Adebayor, Van Persie. Subs: Almunia, Henry, Fabregas, Song Billong, Eboue.
Tottenham: Robinson, Stalteri, Dawson, Gardner, Lee, Lennon, Carrick, Davids, Tainio, Defoe, Keane. Subs: Cerny, Naybet, Kelly, Murphy, Barnard.
Referee: S Bennett (Kent)