Premier League: Top 5 North London derbies in the history of the English top flight

Premier League: Top 5 North London derbies in the history of the English top flight
Premier League: Top 5 North London derbies in the history of the English top flight

New Delhi: One of the biggest rivalries in English football and possibly the biggest rivalry in London renews tonight as Arsenal welcome Tottenham Hotspurs at Emirates stadium tonight. These two sides have had a storied rivalry since long before the days of the Premier League and with Arsenal once again putting title challenges now, a new flavour has been added to these fixtures.

This season has been a topsy turvy one for both these sides with Arsenal failing to properly challenge for the title and defeats to Newcastle and Manchester United in cup competitions earlier this month have all but ended their hopes for a trophy this season. Spurs, on the other hand, are dealing with injury issues that has seen them languish in the bottom half of the table and recently struggled against non league side Tamsworth FC in their FA Cup clash.

Ten places and 16 points separate the two sides but the fierceness of the North London derby remains. Arsenal ran out as 1-0 winners earlier in the season when they visited Spurs but they will need to dig hard if they are to replicate that result at home. We’ve witnessed many a classic North London derbies over the years, with some historic moments taking place, so let’s dive in to see the top five classic North London derbies between these two rivals.

5) An eight goal thriller at the Emirates (Arsenal 4-4 Tottenham, October 2008)

One of the most iconic Premier League goals were scored in this derby as Spurs’ David Bentley volleyed past Manuel Almunia to give Spurs the lead, setting the tone for this game. However, Arsenal recovered well from this early set back and equalized eight minutes before half-time to set up a memorable second half. Seconds after the restart, William Gallas gave Arsenal the lead before a frantic four minutes saw three goals being scored and that wasn’t even the best part of the entire match.

Emmanuel Adebayor made it 3-1 in the 64th minute but three minutes later Darren Bent pulled one back for Spurs but Robin Van Persie struck almost immediately to make it 4-2 in the 68th minute. The drama didn’t end there as Spurs saved the best for the end. Just when it looked like another win for the Gunners, a final fury from Spurs Jermaine Jenas score a final curling effort in the 89th minute to half the deficit and Aaron Lennon smashed home a Luka Modric rebound in added time to earn a memorable draw for his side.

4) First away win in 17 years for Spurs (Arsenal 2-3 Tottenham, November 2010)

A huge win for Spurs came after a long wait for the Lilywhites, ending Arsenal’s near two decade long unbeaten streak over their North London rivals at their home stadium. Spurs hadn’t won a North London Derby at Arsenal’s home since their 3-1 win at Highbury in May 1993 and their streak ended with one of their most unlikeliest of heroes. Arsenal didn’t see this result coming though, as they went 2-0 up at half-time, with goals from Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh.

However, after the break, Spurs came back with all guns blazing. Gareth Bale pegged one back for the visitors shortly after the restart before Rafael van der Vaart levelled the score from the spot. It seemed like the game would head towards a draw before Spurs found their unlikely hero in defender Younes Kaboul, who rose highest to meet a Van der Vaart cross and send his header into the net five minutes from time, sealing a first away win over Arsenal in 17 years.

3) Historic title win at the White Hart Lane (Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal, May 1971)

Long before the days of the Premier League, Arsenal and Spurs were still producing classics and late goals were still a trend in this iconic rivalry. Arsenal visited Spurs at their now-former stadium, the White Hart Lane in May of the 1970/71 season, while being embroiled in a title race with Leeds United. The Gunners had been without a league title for nearly two decades at that point and needed a win or a 0-0 draw to clinch the title. If the game ended in a score draw, the title would’ve gone to Leeds on goal average, which raised the stakes high.

The game remained goalless till the 88th minute and tensions were high as Arsenal had no room to slip, and slip they did not. Spurs’ keeper Pat Jennings made an impressive save to deny Arsenal’s John Radford but the ball fell to Arsenal winger George Armstrong. He chipped the ball across goal towards Liverpool and Arsenal legend Ray Kennedy who headed home the winner in the 88th minute to seal the title for the Gunners at the home of their fierce rivals. This win played a part in Arsenal becoming only the fourth team to win the double as they won the FA cup five days later.

2) Highest scoring North London Derby (Tottenham 4-5 Arsenal, November 2004)

Another thriller at White Hart Lane saw history being created in this derby once again and marked the debut of Martin Jol as Spurs manager. It seemed like a routine game between both sides as the scores remained level at half time with Thierry Henry scoring in first half injury time to cancel out Noureddine Naybet’s 37th minute opener. The second half though, saw the barrage of goals open and seven of the nine goals scored in the game came during the second 45. The second half began and Arsenal took the lead within 10 minutes via a spot kick from Arsenal right back Lauren.

They doubled their lead five minutes later with Patrick Viera getting on the scoresheet before Jermaine Defoe made it 3-2 a minute later. Freddie Ljungberg then restored the Gunners’ two goal advantage in the 69th minute before Ledley King again reduced the deficit in the 74th minute. Robert Pires scored within the last 10 minutes to seal the win for Arsenal but not before Frédéric Kanouté pulled one back in the 88th to enusre a nervy end to the same. This match set the Premier League record for most goalscorers in one game with nine different players getting in on the act.

1) The Invincibles clinch the title (Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal, April 2004)

The biggest achievement in Arsenal’s history is their 2003/04 Invincibles title run, when they won the Premier League by staying unbeaten throughout the 38-game Premier League season. And they did so by becoming champions on the home of their rivals for the second time in their history, 33 years after Ray Kennedy’s winning goal in 1971. Arsenal headed into the game knowing that they only needed a draw to win their historic title with four games to spare, and Arese Wenger’s side managed to do just that, but barely so.

Robert Pires then doubled the advantage shortly after the half an hour mark, making it 2-0 for the Gunners but there was still fight left in Spurs. They came rallying back after the break, pulling one back through Jermaine Defoe in the 62nd minute before a Robbie Keane penalty in the dying minutes of the game earned them a hard fought draw. Arsenal though, weren’t too disappointed with losing three points as they had gotten their hands on the trophy, which remains till date the last time they ever lifted the Premier League title. Arsenal took the lead within just three minutes of the game starting with Patrick Viera putting them 1-0 up in the third minute.

 As we prepare for Arsenal to take on Tottenham at the Emirates tonight, let’s take a look at the top five North London derbies in the history of this storied rivalry between these two North London sides.  Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today