Nicklas Bendtner proved an unlikely hero for Arsenal as his late goal secured a precious 2-1 victory over Tottenham on Saturday.
Adebayor, Bendtner score in their 2-1 win over city rivals Tottenham
LONDON: Nicklas Bendtner proved an unlikely hero for Arsenal as his late goal secured a precious 2-1 victory over Tottenham on Saturday.
Arsene Wenger’s side were confronting the dismal scenario of dropping two home points when the Denmark striker, on as a second-half substitute, headed in to extend his team’s lead at the top of the English Premier League to four points.
That is enough to ensure Arsenal will celebrate Christmas at the top of the table, but they will do so with the help of a considerable slice of luck. They had already seen Dimitar Berbatov cancel out the lead handed them by Emmanuel Adebayor’s opener and Spurs then spurned a gilt-edged chance to forge ahead when Robbie Keane’s penalty was saved by Manuel Almunia.
Tottenham have become wearily accustomed to such sob stories against their north London rivals. This defeat stretched their winless streak against Arsenal to an astonishing 20 matches and put the brakes on the revival engineered by their new manager Juande Ramos.
Christmas is always decisive in shaping a season, and Arsenal would be excused a few nervous flutters as they tuck into the turkey this week.
Trips to Portsmouth and Everton have an ominous hue for Wenger’s side while points can hardly be taken for granted in the New Year’s Day tussle with another local rival, West Ham. That sequence made this encounter with a Tottenham side decimated by injuries and suspensions - Ramos was missing six regulars - even more crucial but Arsenal were desperately unconvincing.
Confronted by visitors happy to squeeze the space in midfield and rely on the bullish running and silky touch of Berbatov, Wenger’s team appeared bereft of ideas.It took 34 minutes for the hosts to muster a shot on target - Paul Robinson comfortably turning a rising drive from Emmanuel Eboue around his near post - and while the England goalkeeper also had to be alert to parry Kolo Toure’s 43rd-minute header, this was one of his more comfortable afternoons.
Spurs, for their part, were unrecognisable from the ragbag bunch who had succumbed so meekly to their near-neighbours at White Hart Lane in September.
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