Harry extends Spurs honeymoon

Last-gasp Lennon earns Redknapp dramatic derby draw

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 30th October 2008

Harry extends Spurs honeymoon

Bentley: Wonder goal

Man of the match:
Robin Van Persie was in super form for the Gunners, setting up two and scoring one of Arsenal's four goals.

Moment of the match:
Has to be Lennon's equaliser as he pounced on the rebound after Modric's effort was deflected onto the post.

Attempt of the match:
Jenas's goal to make it 3-2 has to be included somewhere after cutting in from the right and curling the ball into the net past Almunia.

Save of the match:
Gomes turned a powerful Denilson drive round the post which would have made it 3-1 on 50 minutes.

Talking point:
With four points from two games under Harry Redknapp can Spurs finally move off the bottom?

Goal of the game:
Seems so long ago but Bentley's stunning lob is surely a contender for Goal of the Season.

Related links

Teams

Also see

An injury-time Aaron Lennon goal ensured Harry Redknapp's sensational honeymoon period as Tottenham manager continued with a thrilling 4-4 North London derby draw with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

Redknapp's shock weekend succession of Juande Ramos sparked an immediate response at Spurs as a first Premier League win of 2008/09 was secured with three points against Bolton on Sunday.

But having made the short journey along the Seven Sisters Road, Tottenham - who have not won at Arsenal since 1993 - and former Pompey boss Redknapp were expecting a sterner test, and the encounter duly provided a memorable meeting.

David Bentley stunned his ex-employers as, 40 yards from goal, the former Arsenal midfielder controlled on his thigh and volleyed an awesome contender for Goal of the Season past Manuel Almunia to give Spurs the lead on 13 minutes.

However, Arsenal were level eight minutes before half-time as Mikael Silvestre - an August arrival from Manchester United - headed his first goal as under-scrutiny Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes flapped at a corner.

One minute after the interval, the home side were deservedly in front as William Gallas nodded in a Robin van Persie free-kick, and Emmanuel Adebayor then doubled the advantage from close range.

Almost immediately, Darren Bent set up a nervous finish after Almunia had fumbled, but Van Persie appeared to have secured the points for Arsenal as he smashed in his side's fourth from eight yards out.

But more drama was in store as Jermaine Jenas curled in on 89 minutes to rescue Tottenham hope, before Aaron Lennon grabbed a last-gasp equaliser after Luka Modric had hit a post.

Spurs remain bottom of the table but the comeback proved Cesc Fabregas wrong after he said Arsenal's ladies team would give Redknapp's men a run for their money.

Opportunity

Aside from that remark, there were plenty of points to prove for Spurs' players, and none more so than Bentley, who found his opportunities at Arsenal limited before getting loaned out and sold in 2006.

It was Gareth Bale who had the first opportunity of the match, racing onto Tom Huddlestone's ball over the top in the third minute and finding the side-netting.

But the visitors were ahead 10 minutes later through Bentley's moment of magic.

Van Persie then went close twice, going wide from the edge of the area each time, the first with a free-kick and the second after Theo Walcott laid the ball back.

Gallas also went close, this time after the type of fumble from goalkeeper Gomes that has become commonplace. The ball broke to Gallas but the finish cleared the crossbar.

Walcott drilled straight at Gomes and Gael Clichy fired over the crossbar in their next moves.

Gomes was then at full stretch to deny Fabregas but Arsenal were level from the corner. Van Persie swung over the set-piece and Silvestre headed home.

It took Arsenal less than a minute to take the lead after the restart following a foul by Huddlestone when he hauled back Van Persie.

Reckless

The Dutchman took the free-kick and Gallas climbed above Vedran Corluka at the near post to head home his fourth goal of the campaign.

There was action in all areas of the pitch, with Benoit Assou-Ekotto booked for tripping Walcott, then Redknapp sent on Lennon for Bale to inject some pace.

Bentley also picked up a caution for a reckless tackle on Clichy, while Huddlestone went in the notebook for blocking the same player.

Adebayor flashed wide from the edge of the area, but he made no mistake when Arsenal broke in the 64th minute.

Van Persie sent Samir Nasri through to lob Gomes, with Adebayor beating Alan Hutton to the ball to force it home.

Bent was sent on and pulled a goal back after Huddlestone's drive was not held cleanly by Almunia, but Van Persie restored the two-goal advantage in the next move.

Hutton's sloppy pass was picked up by Adebayor, who fed Van Persie to lash home.

That looked like game over but Jenas found the top corner with a minute of time remaining, setting up a frantic finale in which Lennon snatched a point with a tap-in after Modric went close from range.

ArsenalTeam StatisticsTottenham Hotspur
4Goals4
11st Half Goals1
9Shots on Target7
8Shots off Target5
5Blocked Shots0
9Corners1
10Fouls17
1Offsides3
1Yellow Cards4
0Red Cards0
84.7Passing Success76.7
29Tackles24
75.9Tackles Success79.2
65Possession35
55.8Territorial Advantage44.2

Comments (21)

  • Page 1 of 2
  • 1
  • 2

Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

A new dawn is beginning at Tottenham (again!). Yes we were outpassed, but 99% of the teams that go to Arsenal will be....but we weren't oufought which is exactly where we need to be. There is a spirit, belief, togetherness now that Harry has come in. And we also had that bit of luck that has deserted us over the past few weeks. Its going to be an interesting January and Summer transfer window. there are definitely certain players that need to go!

Posted 08:10 30th October 2008

Stanley Thyaka (Arsenal fan) says...

Wenger should just move on.Me thinks the guy is no longer an asset like he used to be.Can you imagine chelsea letting go such a lead in the last minutes of play.True champs are known to be gritty.The Arsenal board should smell the coffee & release the fellow .Get another coach like Van Basten or Gullit.

Posted 08:08 30th October 2008

G Davies (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I was at the game with a friend who is a Villa fan, he, like me found it a pulsating game, but he also pointed out that it was some of the worst defending he had seen since Spurs v Villa (4-4) last year! Woodgate is a quality players but he and Corluka's set piece defending is truely awful, add to that a keeper that makes you close your eyes and stop breathing everytime he comes out and you have a defence that will continue to leak poor goals and put the whole team under pressure! Come January we have to find a World class keeper, Central defender, a left winger and a World class striker, if we don't then we may well still be in trouble come the end of the season.

Posted 08:03 30th October 2008

Steve Webb (Arsenal fan) says...

I'm an Arsenal fan (obviously) but I don't understand the comments from the Arsenal fans here. Look at the statistics, the game was pretty even. Spurs came back from a 2 goal deficit - well done guys. How many times have we witnessed Arsenal do the same? Many - we all know how many times we go behind first and then claw our way back into games, many times going on to win... just look at last season! So what stops another team with a crop of talented players and a great manager doing the same? It's not Arsene's fault, maybe the team did play negatively in the latter stages. But it's Football - this is what happens. We just need to make sure it happens less.

Posted 07:55 30th October 2008

Andrew Thearle (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Can Bentley grin any wider......I think we may be about to find out, well played the Spurs. And Cesc, I think your ladies team may need drug testing. UGLY.

Posted 07:43 30th October 2008

Sir James (Arsenal fan) says...

I was really disappointed having lead for 89 minutes and then we can't defend for just few minutes of injury time. I would like to blame the team for not defending as a team. Once your team looses a ball every member should try to win the ball back. That did not happen. Wenger is also to blame for the subs of Walcott and Van P. It made the opposition come forward in numbers. The game is gone and two crucial points have been dropped, I encourage Arsenal supporters not to be disappointed. Let us look forward to November where we have ten matches in 30 days and facing the big guns like Manchester United and Chelsea.

Posted 07:32 30th October 2008

Lim Ks (Arsenal fan) says...

What excuses do you have now, Arsene? i woke up at 4am to watch the game. Very disappointed. Not with the results. But the efforts. Again it is complacency. Needless points dropped against Sunderland, Fulham and Hull. i have given up hope on you, Arsene. Arsenal will never win anything under you anymore. The future looks great but the present is a joke. Mourhino for Arsenal! :)

Posted 01:04 30th October 2008

Derek Malouf (Arsenal fan) says...

Once again I awake to scenes of pathetic defending and hear we cant even keep a lead....constant harping about the style of play doesnt give supporters much hope when they cannot beat sides which they should to win the league, too many so-called class players only play when BIG games are around and even then struggle. Wake up Arsene, decide to pick up some decent players in Jan or we are just making the numbers up and leave it to the proven champions, and Arsenal have not been that for at least 3 seasons, no guts in midfield, no surety in front of goals and a captain who just is too moody and points to others when problems arise (not captain material).

Posted 01:03 30th October 2008

Roger Holmes (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Well done Spurs! It has taken 8 months to produce the type of game Spurs fans adore...especially against the gooners. Thats 9-5 to Spurs in the last 2 games!! Before i say this, id like to point out that im over the moon with Arry. But, i think we spurs fans shouldnt read too much into this. I think that the result said more about Arsenals failings than our credentials. A very serious double error by Gomes and Hutton...2 VERY expencive players....is worrying to say the least. I think it will take harry a year or so to mould this team. Id say in the long term he has a keeper, holding midfielder, 2 full-backs and a striker in mind. But good luck to him, and fair play to the 14 who salvaged Yid pride tonight

Posted 00:51 30th October 2008

Marto Deng (Arsenal fan) says...

My laptop was infront of me and the chills of fear were going down into my veins.Spurs should not be proud of that cos they are our derby and we gonna bounce back infront of their kids and their own local stadium.We are gunners.....skillful...and energetic in nature hence let them pick that one point to quench their dying spirits and waite for relegation soon........Arsenal Oyee....our season....our CUP.God bless Arsenal.

Posted 00:37 30th October 2008

Nikhil Deshpande (Manchester United fan) says...

What a scoreline! But still 8 goals without a winner is a shame. You have to give it to Spurs who fought valiantly and rescued a point after a 4-2 disadvantage. There's something about Harry Redknapp that inspires any club that he goes to! And yeah, next time Cesc might want to be a little bit more careful with his words. :)

Posted 00:33 30th October 2008

Kevin Dunn (Arsenal fan) says...

Farcical ... and I am afraid the manager must take much of the blame. The shape of the team was changed completely by the 3 substitutions ... and as soon as Clichy had gifted them the third goal it was obvious we were going to struggle. Just goes to show all the critics who cried out to have the defence strengthened are being proved right ,,,

Posted 00:21 30th October 2008

Alex Thomas (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

OMG! What a fantastic game of football. Never have I been up and down so many times in a match!!! This truly shows what we are capable of! Come on you Spurs!!!

Posted 00:16 30th October 2008

Chris - (Arsenal fan) says...

Unbelieveable, what a joke the defence is at the mo, a few seasons ago, 4-2 up not a worry, now 4-2 your thinking hang on, even when subs are brought on that are all defencely minded!! Gallas - time to move on, Almunia - good at times but becoming a bit of a liablity, Well done Silvestre!!! January needs a GK, and at least 1 maybe 2 centre halves. Hurry back Rosicky and eduardo. Top 4 if we start to pick up the pace and play like we can!!! Come on you gunners.

Posted 23:37 29th October 2008

Mayur Soni (Arsenal fan) says...

You would have thought 4 goals would be enough .. but what a match .. emirates is home to some of the most entertaining football .. 8 goals in the match .. the atmosphere was truly phenomenal !! a must watch fixture !!

Posted 23:29 29th October 2008

Craig Cawkwell (Arsenal fan) says...

We need a ferdinand, terry or carragher before we can even be considered real title challangers

Posted 23:19 29th October 2008

John Jackson (Chelsea fan) says...

What a season! what a day! what a match to remember! I am a Chelsea fan but I must admit, this match was so emotional, i just could not stop weeping for joy when Aaron scored the equalizer. It was emotional and for me it remains till further notice the game of the month and may be the year. Not because Arsenal is our Derby rival, but because one has to feel for Tottenham. And one has to appreciate how they played, the passion, like a game to live or die. And I certainly saw Jamie Rednapp in crazy-joy celebration, who can blame him, one cannot hide the emotion. And I wish Harry well and hope He rejuvenate Spurs.

Posted 23:16 29th October 2008

Seth Bouah (Manchester United fan) says...

What a game! I kept an eye on it as Man United never broke a sweat againts the Hammers. Well done Harry Redknapp & Spurs, Why oh why would Fabregas say something like that about a Derby. Spurs showed him

Posted 23:13 29th October 2008

Mark Labouchardiere (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Wow, Cesc Fabregas said that! What does he have to say now?? We are back. No doubt Arsenal have a great team, when you have world class players goals like this will happen. Give Harry time, we will have a top team sooner than later I think! We showed spirit & determination, that is the mentality we need. Great job, game on now!

Posted 22:56 29th October 2008

Colin Frawley (Arsenal fan) says...

Substitutions cost us, wrong decision to withdraw our wide men and replace them with average players like Song & Diaby, the battle for 4th place is well & truly on

Posted 22:52 29th October 2008
  • Page 1 of 2
  • 1
  • 2

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private