BREAKING NEWS - Sunday December 23, 2007
Arsenal beat Spurs in early Premier match
Full Premiership roundup in SportsPLUS or click here to read the story in a new window.
London (dpa) - Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the English Premier League to four points after they scrambled past north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 on Friday.
Emmanuel Adebayor put Arsenal ahead just after half-time but Dimitar Berbatov equalised for Spurs on 65 minutes, only for substitute Niklas Bendtner to head in the winner 16 minutes from time.
Arsenal were far from their best and Robbie Keane had a penalty saved by Manuel Almunia when the scores were level at 1-1.
In the end, though, Arsene Wenger's side held on to move four points clear of Manchester United, who play on Sunday.
With Spurs pressing the Arsenal midfield, the Gunners struggled to find their usual fluency but a moment of magic from Cesc Fabregas gave them the lead as his back-heel found Adebayor who slipped the ball under Paul Robinson in the 48th.
Keane should have levelled in the 65th when he volleyed onto the crossbar from just six yards out. But Spurs were level one minute later when a Keane back-heel found Berbatov, who smashed the ball in from an acute angle.
Berbatov then won a penalty (71) when he went down under the challenge of Kolo Toure, but Keane's penalty was well saved by Almunia, diving to his right.
Wenger then brought on Bendtner and the striker's impact was immediate as he made it 2-1 on his first touch, running in unmarked to head in Fabregas's corner.
Spurs created more chances to equalise, but Arsenal hung on to go clear at the top.
Later on Saturday, fourth-placed Manchester City and fifth-placed Liverpool were both in action as they look to close the gap.
22:20 Dec 22, 2007
Bangkok Post
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