It was another good performance by the gunners, but somehow, they didn't come away with the three points. And the draw means that even before Liverpool have played, we are still 4th. The doubtful Fabregas was left on the bench, but Freddie Ljungberg returned to the starting XI. The stage was set. Despite the match being played in such a rubbish 'stadium' the atmosphere was great and you could tell it was going to be another classic North London Derby.
Tottenham started well creating a few half chances, but the first bit of action came on 10 minutes. Ljungberg brilliantly flicked the ball into the path of Adebayor, and the big striker thumped the ball past Robinson and into the net. But the goal was deemed offside, Freddie Ljungberg being the culprit. Replays showed it was tight and perhaps a little harsh on the visitors. Adebayor was looking high on confidence, despite not scoring for over 2 months. And the two men involved in the previous move, swapped roles for this one. Adebayor delightfully flicked it on but Ljungberg sent the ball flying over, pulling his hamstring in the process. He battled on but was suffering. On the half hour mark, Tottenham had a corner. It was whipped in but the referee blew his whistle and booked Berbatov, Lehmann and Diaby for a shoving session in the box. The corner was re-taken, and typically ended in a goal. Dawson knocked it down and Keane was at the far post to nod it through the gap between Eboue and Lehmann. And it got worse for Arsenal. Ljungberg signalled that he couldn't continue and was replaced just before the break by Fabregas. And the Spaniard made an immediate impact. Down the right, Eboue played him in, and Fabregas superbly returned the favour, before the Ivorian right back thumped a super effort onto the post. The rebound found Adebayor, but he sliched his effort as it sailed over the bar. It was an entertaining first half but the home side had the lead.
Cesc Fabregas was at the heart of many flowing moves and played a ig part in the first opportunity of the second half. The Spanish midfielder floated a dangerous corner into the box, and Kolo Toure rose above the defence before firing a bullet header on goal, only for it to rattle the post and go out for a goal kick. And within minutes, Arsenal had another chance. Clichy galloped down the left before chipping a cross into the box. The ball was behind Adebayor but somehow he managed to get a firm head to it and saw it bounce off the bar; the third time The Gunners had hit the woodwork. It was coming and on 64 minutes, it arrived. A Fabregas freekick wasn't dealt with and Kolo Toure was unmarked at the back post to poke it home, via Robinson. It was just the breakthrough Arsene Wenger's team needed. Then, just over 10 minutes from the end, The Gunners took the lead. Another wonderful Fabregas freekick was whipped in and Adebayor leapt well and steered a header into the top corner. White Hart Lane was stunned and the roar from the Arsenal faithful said it all. Substitute, Baptista could and should have wrapped it up, but fired a simple header well wide of the target. The fourth official said 4 minutes were to be added on, when only 2 or 3 were necessary. And in the 5th minute of 4 injury time minutes, Arsenal were dealt a sucker punch. Jermain Jenas decided to have a go from 20 yards and saw his shot fire into the bottom corner. White Hart Lane erupted and it had cost Arsenal two precious points in thee race for third.
Match Ratings:
Lehmann: Starting to get annoying with his constant bookings (5)
Eboue: A real threat going forward. Unlucky not to score (7)
Toure: A rock at the back. Plus he scored and hit the woodwork. Top Dog (8)
Gallas: Looked a bit shaky early on but grew massively as the game went on (6)
Clichy: Good going forward despite being quiet (6)
Hleb: Very quiet, but looked good when he got the ball (6)
Gilberto: Was immense in the second half. Controlled the game like a true captain (8)
Diaby: This guy has huge potential. Another fine display from Vieira II (7)
Rosicky: Very quiet down the left.Perhaps we expected too much (5)
Ljungberg: Started brightly but was replaced due to a hamstring problem (6)
Adebayor: Thoroughly deserved his goal. Outstanding from the big man (8)
Fabregas: Stole the show. Pulled all the strings in an unbelievable display. And he's only 19! What a player! (9)
Baptista: Lost my patience. Should have wrapped it up. No more excuses - he's crap (4)
Senderos: Didn't touch the ball in his 30 seconds on the pitch (5)
MAN OF THE MATCH: Cesc Fabregas
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