Arsenal produced a superb fightback to come from 2-0 down and hammer Tottenham 5-2 at Emirates Stadium in a pulsating North London derby.
Arsenal hit back to prevail 5-2 in North London derby
Arsenal produced a superb fightback to come from 2-0 down and hammer Tottenham 5-2 at Emirates Stadium in a pulsating North London derby.
Defensive deficiencies were exposed on both sides but it was the Gunners who repeatedly carved open their opponents to lift the gloom after recent disappointments and climb back to fourth place in the Premier League standings.
It looked like the day would belong to Spurs when Louis Saha's deflected effort after just four minutes put them in front.
Emmanuel Adebayor then scored from the penalty spot against his old club after the referee ruled that Gareth Bale had been brought down by Wojciech Szczesny.
However, Arsenal responded in inspired fashion, with Bacary Sagna powering home a header to reduce their arrears and Robin van Persie curling in a sumptuous equaliser before half-time.
Harry Redknapp made a couple of changes at the interval in an attempt to shore up his midfield, but the remarkably open pattern of play continued and it was not long until Tomas Rosicky fired Arsenal ahead from close range.
Theo Walcott added a fourth following a fabulous break in the 65th minute, and another fine finish from the winger three minutes later sent the crowd wild with excitement.
Spurs never threatened a late rally and their misery was complete when Scott Parker was sent off for a second bookable offence, ruling him out of the clash with Manchester United.
Shambolic
It looked like being so different after four minutes when Arsenal's shambolic defending from Milan resurfaced.
Former Gunners striker Adebayor, celebrating his 28th birthday, played the ball into a gaping hole for Saha to run into, with Thomas Vermaelen's lame block only succeeding in deflecting the Frenchman's shot over the stranded Szczensy.
The home side fought back, Kieran Gibbs seeing a dubious penalty appeal rejected and Parker getting away with an accidental handball.
It was breathless stuff and Szczensy beat away another Spurs effort before Van Persie wasted a glorious chance to level when he drilled wide after his initial shot was blocked.
He went even closer six minutes later with a drive that deflected into the sidenetting, his resulting corner seeing Brad Friedel acrobatically tip over Rosicky's header.
Arsenal were beginning to dominate but more risible defending almost saw Spurs double their lead on the break, Szczensy denying Adebayor and Kyle Walker sending the 25-yard rebound just over the crossbar.
Parker, who was everywhere, was booked after clattering into Van Persie moments after being denied a free-kick of his own, with Luka Modric also carded for dissent.
Laurent Koscielny immediately followed for upending Niko Kranjcar, Tottenham immediately surging upfield to win a controversial 32nd minute penalty.
Gareth Bale was under all sorts of pressure from Gibbs but threw himself to the floor under what looked no contact from Szczensy.
Adebayor kept his cool to rub salt into the wound but wisely chose not to celebrate.
It could have been 3-0 before half-time had Bale chosen to pass rather than drill a shot too close to Szczensy and Spurs were made to pay when Arsenal sensationally hit back before half-time.
The first goal came five minutes before the break, Van Persie desperately unlucky to hit the post before Mikel Arteta swept the ball back in and Sagna powered home a header.
Van Persie then
