ALEXIS SANCHEZ GRABBED a 2-2 draw for 10-man Arsenal in the North London derby at White Hart Lane as Tottenham passed up the chance to seize the initiative in the Premier League title race.
Aiming to bounce back from a midweek reverse at West Ham, Tottenham pressed their opponents relentlessly during the opening period but fell behind in the 39th minute when Aaron Ramsey netted a superlative backheel.
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But the prospect of Arsenal securing a derby triumph to relieve the pressure on Arsene Wenger following consecutive defeats to Manchester United and Swansea City unravelled at pace early in the second half.
Francis Coquelin was rightly red-carded for two bookings and, following Toby Alderweireld’s 60th-minute equaliser, Harry Kane put Tottenham in front with a spectacular strike.
But Sanchez made light of Arsenal’s numerical disadvantage and neither side could force a victory in a frantic finish, leaving Tottenham three points above Arsenal and two adrift of leaders Leicester City.
Mauricio Pochettino was able to recall Mousa Dembele following a groin injury and the Belgium international lined-up against an Arsenal midfield in which Mohamed Elneny made a first Premier League start.
Kane had a rising sixth-minute effort deflected behind as Tottenham got themselves on the front foot amid a frenetic opening.
Much of the pre-match build-up focused on Petr Cech’s injury absence but his deputy in the Arsenal goal, David Ospina, reacted superbly when Erik Lamela turned Kyle Walker’s angled shot goalwards in the 26th minute.
Danny Welbeck, preferred to lead the Arsenal attack ahead of Olivier Giroud, cut an isolated figure as Tottenham made much of the first-half running, although the England man played a key role as Arsenal opened the scoring.
Spurs blew a big chance to top the Premier League today
Updated at 14.55
ALEXIS SANCHEZ GRABBED a 2-2 draw for 10-man Arsenal in the North London derby at White Hart Lane as Tottenham passed up the chance to seize the initiative in the Premier League title race.
Aiming to bounce back from a midweek reverse at West Ham, Tottenham pressed their opponents relentlessly during the opening period but fell behind in the 39th minute when Aaron Ramsey netted a superlative backheel.
But the prospect of Arsenal securing a derby triumph to relieve the pressure on Arsene Wenger following consecutive defeats to Manchester United and Swansea City unravelled at pace early in the second half.
Francis Coquelin was rightly red-carded for two bookings and, following Toby Alderweireld’s 60th-minute equaliser, Harry Kane put Tottenham in front with a spectacular strike.
But Sanchez made light of Arsenal’s numerical disadvantage and neither side could force a victory in a frantic finish, leaving Tottenham three points above Arsenal and two adrift of leaders Leicester City.
Mauricio Pochettino was able to recall Mousa Dembele following a groin injury and the Belgium international lined-up against an Arsenal midfield in which Mohamed Elneny made a first Premier League start.
Kane had a rising sixth-minute effort deflected behind as Tottenham got themselves on the front foot amid a frenetic opening.
Much of the pre-match build-up focused on Petr Cech’s injury absence but his deputy in the Arsenal goal, David Ospina, reacted superbly when Erik Lamela turned Kyle Walker’s angled shot goalwards in the 26th minute.
Danny Welbeck, preferred to lead the Arsenal attack ahead of Olivier Giroud, cut an isolated figure as Tottenham made much of the first-half running, although the England man played a key role as Arsenal opened the scoring.
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