Ten-man Arsenal snatch point at Tottenham in thrilling derby
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Updated 05/03/2016 at 15:20 GMT
Premier League, White Hart Lane - Tottenham Hotspur 2 (Alderweireld 60, Kane 62) Arsenal 2 (Ramsey 39, Sanchez 76)
Arsenal's Hector Bellerin challenges Tottenham's Danny Rose
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Alexis Sanchez rescued a point for 10-man Arsenal in a thrilling North London derby.
This was billed as the most important ever clash between North London’s title chasers, and the sizzling atmosphere at White Hart Lane matched the absorbing contest on the pitch.
After Spurs dominated the scrappy and chaotic opening exchanges, Arsenal drew first blood with a high quality strike from Aaron Ramsey, who flicked in Hector Bellerin’s first-time cross after good work by the lively Danny Welbeck.
The game’s turning point came early in the second half when Francis Coquelin’s ill-advised lunge on Harry Kane saw him earn a second yellow card, and immediately the momentum swung Tottenham’s way.
Toby Aldweireld lashed in an equaliser after Erik Lamela flicked on a corner and Kane raised the roof with a spectacular goal, cutting in from the left and sending an arcing shot into the far top corner.
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Tottenham celebrate Harry kane's goal against Arsenal
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Spurs were buoyant at this stage and looked like going on to win the game, but Arsenal demonstrated the grit to fight back that has been missing in recent weeks.
Moments after Arsene Wenger brought on Olivier Giroud, the Frenchman spotted the run of Sanchez, whose pinpoint shot found the bottom corner as the Chilean celebrated in front of the travelling fans.
Aaron Ramsey could have won all three points late on when he went clean through, but Kevin Wimmer made a brilliant late challenge on the Welshman, ensuring the points were shared.
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Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring the equaliser for Arsenal against Tottenham
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MAN OF THE MATCH
David Ospina (Arsenal) – Not an easy task to step into a North London derby and make a string of vital saves, but he did just that. Kept out Kane and Eriksen as Spurs pushed to put the game to bed, and Arsenal owe the Colombian for their point.
PLAYER RATINGS
Tottenham: Lloris 7, Walker 7, Alderweireld 8, Wimmer 7, Rose 8; Dembele 8, Dier 6; Lamela 8, Eriksen 6, Alli 6; Kane 8. Subs: Mason 6, Davies n/a, Son n/a.
Arsenal: Ospina 8, Bellerin 7, Mertesacker 5, Gabriel 7, Gibbs 7, Elneny 7, Coquelin 5, Ramsey 8, Ozil 7, Sanchez 7, Welbeck 8. Subs: Giroud 6, Flamini n.a, Campbell n/a.
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Aaron Ramsey celebrates scoring the opening goal for Arsenal against Tottenham
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KEY MOMENTS
25' OSPINA SAVE! Great stop by Ospina to deny Lamela, who tried to divert Walker's fast low cross into the net. Great reflexes by the Colombian.
39' GOAL! Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal: Ramsey scores! Their first attack of the game and they score. Welbeck picks out Bellerin, whose pass is flicked in brilliantly by Ramsey.
55' RED CARD! Coquelin is off! A stupid tackle on Kane, who was miles away from goal and Coquelin walks.
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Michael Oliver sends off Arsenal's Francis Coquelin
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58' OFF THE LINE! Kane comes as close to scoring as is possible but a goal-line technology decision rules that Ospina, who was actually behind the line, keeps it out.
60' GOAL! Tottenham 1-1 Arsenal. Alderweireld scores! Lamela flicks on a corner from the left and Alderweireld lashes it into the bottom corner left footed. Game on!
62' GOAL! Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal - What a goal by Kane, who's turned this North London derby on its head! Mertesacker tries to see the ball out, Lamela pinches it off him and finds Kane, whose curling effort from the edge of the box flies into the top corner!
76' GOAL! Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham: Sanchez scores! Out of nothing again for Arsenal as Sanchez finds the bottom corner after Rose failed to step out with the Spurs defence.
86' ERIKSEN CHANCE! The Dane swings a first time shot a goal that was dipping under the bar but Ospina springs well to tip over.
90'+3 RAMSEY CHANCE! The Welshman goes clean through but Wimmer gets across and makes a vital last-ditch challenge. Huge tackle by the Austrian, but Ramsey should have won it.
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Tottenham's Mousa Dembele reaches the ball ahead of Arsenal's Danny Welbeck
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TALKING POINT
Who will be happier with the point? Arsenal. They would have taken a share of the spoils going into this game given their poor form, and they showed the spirit that was missing in the defeat at Manchester United. Spurs, too, showed character to turn the game around but, having gone ahead, should have stayed there against ten men.
KEY STAT
Arsenal have scored in 42 of their last 43 matches against Tottenham.
Harry Kane has scored 14 goals in 18 Premier League London derbies, including four in three against Arsenal.
Francis Coquelin became the sixth Arsenal player to be sent off against Tottenham in the Premier League.
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