Surprise derby win for Spurs - Tottenham upset Arsenal days after being FA Cup semi-final heartbreak
Publsihed: 15 April, 2010
Premier League
Spurs 2, Arsenal 1
by DAN CARRIER
ARSENAL’S title challenge was all but finished last night (Wednesday) by a shock derby defeat by rivals Spurs at White Hart Lane.
An early 30-yard volley by debutante Danny Rose set the tone for a fascinating encounter that saw Spurs win their first league game against the Gunners since 1999.
In a frantic first half Sol Campbell, returning to the Lane, headed an effort goal-bound after just one minute, only for Benoît Assou-Ekotto to stop it on the line. Then came Danny Rose’s wonder goal on eight minutes, and try as they might, Arsenal’s possession foundered on a wall of white.
The usual harum-scarum of the north London derby meant every challenge had bite, every interception seemingly last gasp. Both sides found it hard to settle into a rhythm, and the closest Arsenal came to replying in the first period was when Nicklas Bendtner scuffed his shot wide.
Gareth Bale made it two immediately after the restart.
When Dutch striker Robin Van Persie did come on, he showed the class his team mates had lacked up to that point: he threatened with a goal-bound volley on 82 minutes which Heurelho Gomes did well to paw away, and also tested with a long-range free kick.
The final five minutes were tight, with Bendtner pulling off a neat finish to half the deficit, giving the Gunners new hope.
Afterwards, Spurs manager Harry Redknapp said how pleased he was with his players for responding to Sunday’s FA Cup defeat against Portsmouth. Now Arsene Wenger must find similar motivation – and hope Spurs play as well against Chelsea on Saturday – if they are not to finish the season without a trophy.