shfhslkfslfjkgsltory in a frenetic north London derby with Arsenal at White Hart Lane.
The right-back - watched by England coach Fabio Capello - condemned Arsenal to their fourth Premier League defeat of the season when his swerving 25-yard effort deceived goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny 17 minutes from time.
Rafael van der Vaart put Spurs in front with the 10,000th goal in the club's history just before the interval, although Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and his players complained bitterly that he had handled before scoring.
Aaron Ramsey then gave Arsenal the equaliser they deserved five minutes after half-time before Walker settled a high-tempo encounter that made light of the searing temperatures.
It was another thrilling meeting between these two fierce rivals and tempers threatened to boil over at the final whistle when Wenger was involved in a touchline confrontation with Spurs coach Clive Allen before the pair made their way down the tunnel.
On the pitch Spurs just edged the Gunners, who more than matched Harry Redknapp's side for long periods, but were once again undermined by fragility at the back.
Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor was a predictably prominent figure for the home side, while Scott Parker demonstrated the wisdom of his signing by completely overshadowing Wenger's £10m deadline day purchase Mikel Arteta.
WHO IS KYLE WALKER?
- Began his career at Sheffield United before to moving to Spurs along with Kyle Naughton in the summer of 2009
- Was loaned back to the Blades and also spent time with QPR
- A further loan spell at Aston Villa led to a call up the England squad for the friendly against Denmark in February
- Has made eight appearances for Spurs this season, scoring his first goal for the club in the win over Arsenal
Szczesny, in particular, will feel the disappointment of defeat but the young Pole also distinguished himself with fine saves from Parker, Adebayor and Jermain Defoe.
The frantic early pace of the game made no allowances for the heat and Parker should have given Spurs the lead after only six minutes. Alex Song conceded possession in dangerous territory but Parker could only shoot straight at Szczesny with only the keeper to beat.
Arsenal's confidence in possession and their willingness to take the game to Spurs belied their early-season struggles and Theo Walcott was inches away from giving them the lead when his angled effort deflected just wide off Ledley King.
From the resulting corner, it needed the intervention of Benoit Assou-Ekotto on the line to divert Ramsey's header away to safety.
Arsenal's best first-half chance fell to Gervinho after 28 minutes, Wenger leaping from his seat and pumping his fists in frustration as the striker took a pass from Robin van Persie in his stride 10 yards out before steering a finish carelessly wide.
The deadlock was broken in contentious circumstances six minutes before half-time. Arsenal's defending was ponderous as Bacary Sagna and Per Mertesacker allowed Van der Vaart far too much time to collect Adebayor's pass before shooting across Szczesny into the bottom corner.
Arsenal, with Wenger leading the complaints, appealed for handball but the protests were ignored as Van der Vaart ran to celebrate among the Spurs fans, an action he was fortunate referee Mike Dean ignored as he had already been booked for a foul on Kieran Gibbs.
Van der Vaart undid his earlier good work when he was guilty of dreadful defending to let Arsenal in for the equaliser. As Younes Kaboul's clearing header fell to Song, the Dutchman made only a token effort to stop his run and was punished as Ramsey arrived at the near post to turn in his cross.
Spurs almost delivered the instant response as Bale set Adebayor free inside the area but Szczesny was once more alert to the danger and denied the former Arsenal striker with an instinctive one-handed save.
However, the young keeper had to take a large share of the responsibility as Spurs regained the lead.
Arsenal's defence allowed substitute Sandro too much time to cross and when the loose ball fell to Walker, his shot carried pace and swerve but Szczesny should not have been deceived to let the ball evade his grasp.
Mertesacker had endured his moments of uncertainty and a complete breakdown in communication with Song almost let Bale in for a third, but his shot rolled agonisingly wide.
Szczesny joined Arsenal's attack as they forced corners in injury time - but it was to no avail as Spurs held on to win.
Live text and stats
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Premier League
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tottenham | 2-1 | Arsenal | FT |
| (HT 1-0) | |||
|
| ||
Hide team line-ups and match stats
Tottenham
- 24 Friedel
- 03 Bale
- 04 Kaboul
- 26 King
- 28 Walker
- 32 Assou-Ekotto
- 08 Parkeryellow card (Corluka 90)
- 11 Van der Vaartyellow card (Sandro 63)
- 14 Modric
- 10 Adebayor (Livermore 84)
- 18 Defoe
Substitutes
Arsenal
- 13 Szczesny
- 03 Sagna (Jenkinson 68)
- 04 Mertesackeryellow card
- 28 Gibbs
- 08 Arteta
- 14 Walcott (Benayoun 72)
- 16 Ramsey
- 17 Song
- 39 Coquelin
- 10 Van Persie
- 27 Gervinho (Arshavin 77)
Substitutes
Show all live text
- Final Result
- Full Time
- 90:00+5:39The match has reached full-time.
- 90:00+5:07Inswinging corner taken by Mikel Arteta from the left by-line, clearance by Younes Kaboul.
- 90:00+4:28Corner from left by-line taken by Mikel Arteta.
- 90:00+1:45Corner taken left-footed by Gareth Bale.
- 90:00+1:24Free kick awarded for a foul by Yossi Benayoun on Luka Modric. Luka Modric restarts play with the free kick.
- 89:42 SubstitutionScott Parker leaves the field to be replaced by Vedran Corluka.
- 89:04Effort from inside the area by Luka Modric misses to the left of the goal.
- 88:10The referee blows for offside against Scott Parker. Andrey Arshavin takes the indirect free kick.
- 87:26Jermain Defoe has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.
- 86:13Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mikel Arteta by Raniere Sandro. Andrey Arshavin takes the direct free kick.
- 85:57The ball is delivered by Gareth Bale, Per Mertesacker manages to make a clearance.
- 83:57 SubstitutionJake Livermore is brought on as a substitute for Emmanuel Adebayor.
- 83:11Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Luka Modric, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Raniere Sandro goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
- 82:49Jermain Defoe takes a shot. Save made by Wojciech Szczesny.
- 81:32Centre by Carl Jenkinson, save made by Brad Friedel.
- 80:58Emmanuel Adebayor concedes a free kick for a foul on Alex Song. Free kick taken by Wojciech Szczesny.
- 80:33Kieran Gibbs sends in a cross, save by Brad Friedel.
- 79:58Yossi Benayoun takes a shot. Benoit Assou-Ekotto gets a block in.
- 76:24Alex Song has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide of the left-hand upright.
- 76:24 Substitution(Arsenal) makes a substitution, with Andrey Arshavin coming on for Yao Gervinho.
- 76:24Inswinging corner taken by Robin van Persie,
- 75:54Younes Kaboul concedes a free kick for a foul on Yao Gervinho. Direct free kick taken by Mikel Arteta.
- 75:30Effort on goal by Gareth Bale from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the target.
- 74:42Carl Jenkinson concedes a free kick for a foul on Raniere Sandro. Benoit Assou-Ekotto takes the free kick.
- 74:25 BookingScott Parker receives a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
- 74:14Scott Parker challenges Mikel Arteta unfairly and gives away a free kick. Mikel Arteta takes the free kick.
- 72:17The assist for the goal came from Luka Modric.
- 72:17 GOAL - Kyle WalkerTottenham 2 - 1 ArsenalKyle Walker scores from 35 yards to to the bottom left corner of the goal. Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal.
- 71:05 SubstitutionYossi Benayoun replaces Theo Walcott.
- 67:27 SubstitutionBacary Sagna leaves the field to be replaced by Carl Jenkinson.
- 67:04Kieran Gibbs gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Luka Modric. Direct free kick taken by Kyle Walker.
- 66:49The ball is delivered by Robin van Persie, clearance made by Kyle Walker.
- 64:27Corner taken right-footed by Luka Modric from the right by-line, Jermain Defoe challenges Kieran Gibbs unfairly and gives away a free kick. Wojciech Szczesny restarts play with the free kick.
- 64:01Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Luka Modric from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Aaron Ramsey.
- 62:28 SubstitutionRafael Van der Vaart leaves the field to be replaced by Raniere Sandro.
- 62:00Free kick awarded for a foul by Kieran Gibbs on Rafael Van der Vaart. Free kick crossed by Rafael Van der Vaart, clearance by Francis Coquelin.
- 61:13Theo Walcott crosses the ball.
- 57:46Foul by Mikel Arteta on Luka Modric, free kick awarded. Strike comes in from Luka Modric from the free kick.
- 57:11Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart.
- 57:02Emmanuel Adebayor takes a shot. Save made by Wojciech Szczesny.
- 56:09Aaron Ramsey is ruled offside. Brad Friedel takes the indirect free kick.
- 55:58The ball is swung over by Aaron Ramsey, clearance by Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
- 53:55The assistant referee flags for offside against Emmanuel Adebayor. Aaron Ramsey takes the free kick.
- 53:40Aaron Ramsey sends in a cross, Younes Kaboul makes a clearance.
- 52:30Yao Gervinho takes a shot. Brad Friedel makes a save.
- 50:44The assist for the goal came from Alex Song.
- 50:44 GOAL - Aaron RamseyTottenham 1 - 1 ArsenalAaron Ramsey finds the net with a goal from close range to the top left corner of the goal. Tottenham 1-1 Arsenal.
- 50:19Centre by Yao Gervinho, clearance by Gareth Bale.
- 50:08Corner taken short by Yao Gervinho.
- 48:34Effort on goal by Gareth Bale from just inside the penalty area goes over the target.
- 47:52Short corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart from the right by-line.
- 46:58Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart from the left by-line, Alex Song makes a clearance.
- 46:18The referee gives a free kick against Jermain Defoe for handball. Kieran Gibbs restarts play with the free kick.
- 45:01The game restarts for the second half.
- Half Time
- 45:00+3:08The referee blows for half time.
- 44:50Jermain Defoe is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Wojciech Szczesny restarts play with the free kick.
- 44:09Theo Walcott takes a shot. Save made by Brad Friedel.
- 43:28Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mikel Arteta by Emmanuel Adebayor. Direct free kick taken by Mikel Arteta.
- 42:21Aaron Ramsey takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel.
- 41:41Long range shot from Gareth Bale misses to the left of the goal.
- 41:21A cross is delivered by Gareth Bale, save made by Wojciech Szczesny.
- 39:26Emmanuel Adebayor provided the assist for the goal.
- 39:26 GOAL - Rafael Van der VaartTottenham 1 - 0 ArsenalA goal is scored by Rafael Van der Vaart from inside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Tottenham 1-0 Arsenal.
- 38:11Alex Song concedes a free kick for a foul on Emmanuel Adebayor. Direct free kick taken by Kyle Walker.
- Correction - 35:44Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Bacary Sagna by Luka Modric. Bacary Sagna takes the direct free kick.
- 35:44Bacary Sagna fouled by Luka Modric, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Bacary Sagna.
- 33:40Theo Walcott takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.
- 31:27Rafael Van der Vaart shoots direct from the free kick.
- 31:27 BookingPer Mertesacker goes into the referee's book.
- 31:19Per Mertesacker challenges Jermain Defoe unfairly and gives away a free kick.
- 30:06Corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart.
- 29:59Gareth Bale delivers the ball, blocked by Bacary Sagna.
- 29:28Jermain Defoe produces a cross.
- 28:34Yao Gervinho produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post.
- 27:31Jermain Defoe sends in a cross, Rafael Van der Vaart takes a shot. Save by Wojciech Szczesny.
- 26:25 BookingRafael Van der Vaart receives a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
- 26:17Unfair challenge on Kieran Gibbs by Rafael Van der Vaart results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Wojciech Szczesny.
- 26:00Gareth Bale delivers the ball, Per Mertesacker manages to make a clearance.
- 25:33Robin van Persie is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Ledley King restarts play with the free kick.
- 23:12Theo Walcott takes a shot. Save made by Brad Friedel.
- 23:02The referee blows for offside against Rafael Van der Vaart. Free kick taken by Kieran Gibbs.
- 21:21Younes Kaboul concedes a free kick for a foul on Robin van Persie. Mikel Arteta produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick.
- 18:32The ball is crossed by Gareth Bale, Shot from deep inside the area by Rafael Van der Vaart goes over the bar.
- 15:38Corner taken by Mikel Arteta from the left by-line, clearance by Younes Kaboul. Mikel Arteta takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post, Aaron Ramsey takes a shot. Younes Kaboul gets a block in. Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Robin van Persie.
- 15:09Theo Walcott takes a shot. Blocked by Younes Kaboul.
- 13:21Emmanuel Adebayor is caught offside. Alex Song takes the indirect free kick.
- 10:28Headed effort from inside the area by Robin van Persie misses to the right of the goal.
- 9:40Scott Parker challenges Mikel Arteta unfairly and gives away a free kick. Mikel Arteta restarts play with the free kick.
- 7:46Centre by Theo Walcott.
- 6:50Scott Parker gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kieran Gibbs. Wojciech Szczesny restarts play with the free kick.
- 6:20Scott Parker takes a shot. Save by Wojciech Szczesny.
- 5:49Bacary Sagna crosses the ball, save made by Brad Friedel.
- 3:51Alex Song concedes a free kick for a foul on Emmanuel Adebayor. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart.
- 3:04Header on goal by Jermain Defoe from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.
- 2:28Corner taken by Luka Modric played to the near post, clearance made by Robin van Persie.
- Correction - 2:28Inswinging corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart from the right by-line played to the near post, Robin van Persie manages to make a clearance.
- Correction - 0:56The assistant referee signals for offside against Luka Modric. Wojciech Szczesny restarts play with the free kick.
- 0:56Luka Modric is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Indirect free kick taken by Wojciech Szczesny.
- 0:00The referee starts the match.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
Premier League table snapshot
| Position | Team | P | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man Utd | 7 | 19 | 19 |
| 2 | Man City | 7 | 18 | 19 |
| 3 | Chelsea | 7 | 9 | 16 |
| 4 | Newcastle | 7 | 5 | 15 |
| 5 | Liverpool | 7 | 2 | 13 |
| 6 | Tottenham | 6 | 1 | 12 |
| 7 | Aston Villa | 7 | 4 | 11 |
| 8 | Stoke | 7 | -4 | 9 |
| 9 | Norwich | 7 | -3 | 8 |
| 10 | Swansea | 7 | -3 | 8 |
| 11 | QPR | 7 | -8 | 8 |
| 12 | Fulham | 7 | 3 | 7 |
| 13 | Everton | 6 | -2 | 7 |
| 14 | Wolves | 7 | -4 | 7 |
| 15 | Arsenal | 7 | -6 | 7 |
| 16 | Sunderland | 7 | 1 | 6 |
| 17 | West Brom | 7 | -5 | 5 |
| 18 | Wigan | 7 | -6 | 5 |
| 19 | Blackburn | 7 | -9 | 4 |
| 20 | Bolton | 7 | -12 | 3 |
SEE ALSO
Redknapp hails 'fantastic' win
02 October 11Football
Wenger hurt by defeat
02 October 11Football
Spurs on right track - Walker
02 October 11Football
Redknapp condemns chants
03 October 11Football
Sagna breaks leg in Arsenal loss
02 October 11Football
Sunday football as it happened
02 October 11Football
Sunday's football photos
02 October 11Football
