Boom - Its the Spurs show!!

15th April,2010.

Watching a mid-night game with your bitter rivals in picture is something I don't enjoy at all. But yes, I wanted to stay up, wanted to watch them lose, watch them get battered, banter my GUNNER pals, the same they did when United were knocked off the European Championship last week. But for some reason, I was in a merciful mood and wanted Gooners to put up a show. I had told my pal I was on her side tonight, just for some moral support,(SARCASM flowing down my spine) in case Tottenham blow the Gunners.

White Hart Lane (I love the name) was the perfect reservation for the much awaited London Derby. For records, Spurs hadn't beaten Gunners for over ten years, so this was playing on Harry Redknapp's mind. With Arsenal looking to inch closer to the title and Tottenham strutting for a place in next years UEFA play-offs, the London Derby was an anxious affair for both teams.

One very critical, or I should say, a blessed news for the Gunners, their talismatic,agile and serious striker(Gooners will love me for this..), Robin Van Persie was declared fit and was in contention for the game. But he was benched, and maybe this was a little chance Wenger could've taken. He started without their charismatic captain, Fabregas and the Russian speed-bomb (Arshavin), both sidelined to injuries.

Spurs on the other hand had developed a formidable force, one that could sweep any opposition on a given day. But surprise,surprise, 19-year old, Danny Rose was handed his first game by Redknapp, immense confidence shown by the Spurs boss.

The game was a hefty meeting, with both set of players looking to dominate. Arsenal have had a number of deficits this season, to outline ONE - their keeper Manuel Almunia!! The Arsenal man has had a pretty on-off season with some spectacular showing and some..yeah you got it right!!

Arsenal looked to make an immediate mark on the game when Sol Campbell got his body on a Nasri cross, but Ekotto managed to clear it. The first meaningful attack by Spurs, and Arsenal looked lackluster in defense. Pavlyuchenko was offered a low cross by Kaboul, but Vermaelen blocked it, ball out for a corner. Gareth Bale, who has been in exceptional form for Spurs crossed the ball. But then it was the same Almunia Flop Show. The ball wasn't anywhere close to the keeper, yet he challenged to punch it, and so it fell to the grateful debutant Rose, who slammed a scorcher, undoubtedly one of the strikes for the Goal of the Season ! A killer blow delivered with his left and Arsenal hopes in deep water!

From here onwards, it was the Spurs march. Arsenal, tagged a passing unit were outdone in defence with the Spurs back-four providing solid resistance. Half-time in and Spurs were up by a goal, and hopes of a European spot drew closer.

For now, all eyes were on Wenger to play his trump-cards. But then it was a tad too late for surprises. With a goal under their belly the White Hart Laner's were the paramount unit. St. Nicklas Bendtner came close to scoring but as he is famous for, he shot past the goal-post. Wenger brought in THE-OOOO to inject some pace. But till then, the Tottenham tide was grappling the Gooners!

The resurrected Gareth Bale's efforts and hard-work in the midfield was finally rewarded. Defoe who looked a mere spectator on the field provided a cutting through ball and the Welshman smartly placed it in the corner. Spurs 2 nil up and on their way to a famous victory, one they were looking for since 1999.

A late introduction of the awaited Van Persie, and hopes of revival started flying. The Dutchman instantly inculcated some force amongst his mates and was on target, one with a brilliantly chested volley and the other where he tried his trademark curled free-kick. Heurelho Gomes was in inspired form and looked unbeatable as he stopped every Arsenal wave.

Spurs looked to pound towards another clean sheet, but not to be. A late goal by St. Bendtner, and a nervous 15 minutes for Tottenham to hold on. And so they did. A much needed victory and a UEFA spot just one point away, Spurs smashed Arsenal's hope of a the Barclay's Premier League title this year!! With both United (almost) and Arsenal (totally) out of contention (The latter sounds so good to my ears ...LMAO!!), let's say it is Chelsea's title to lose!!

Red Devil!!

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