Jol under pressure after Arsenal comeback
A superb second-half comeback by Arsenal heaped the pressure on under-fire Tottenham boss Martin Jol as the Gunners prevailed in the north London derby.
Spurs had been leading through a 15th-minute Gareth Bale free-kick and had their chances to add a second, but two goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and a splendid strike from Cesc Fabregas earned Arsenal victory at White Hart Lane.
Adebayor had levelled things on 65 minutes, while Fabregas’s effort came with ten minutes left on the clock. Adebayor added his second and Arsenal’s third in injury time, meaning their rivals still have just one Premier League victory this season.
It was a cruel blow for Jol, who has appeared undermined by his board this season after the infamous meeting with Sevilla coach Juande Ramos. Spurs had not beaten Arsenal since 1999, during George Graham’s reign, and there is a perception Jol that struggles against the “big four”.
It looked like business as usual when Paul Robinson was required to tip over Adebayor’s volley from 25 yards in the early stages. But Dimitar Berbatov was offering a threat for the hosts and he looped a header over the crossbar before getting fouled in the lead up to Bale’s opener. Bale’s free-kicks at the start of last season helped him establish himself as one of the brightest talents around, and his set-piece in the 15th minute was an example of his accuracy. He curled the effort behind Arsenal’s wall and inside Manuel Almunia’s near post, leaving the peroxide Spaniard fuming with himself.
The 18-year-old, with two goals in his first three Spurs matches, was playing on the left of midfield to give Jol’s side balance - but he was also needed to defend as Arsenal attempted to drag themselves level. Adebayor immediately threatened at the other end after the opener, with Robinson required to turn his volley around the post.
The goalkeeper was needed again in the 25th minute when Fabregas broke from the centre of midfield, with Alexander Hleb eventually having the shot and Robin van Persie firing the rebound across the face of goal. Abou Diaby then had an effort from long distance on the half-hour mark, and got even closer two minutes later when Hleb found him free overlapping. Diaby beat Robinson with his powerful effort but it smacked off the crossbar to safety.
With both sides attacking, possession switched frequently and tackles flew in, Jermaine Jenas picked up a yellow card for one of them on Van Persie. Pascal Chimbonda was fouled in stoppage time but was booked himself for urging referee Mark Clattenburg to show his opponent a yellow card.
As expected, Spurs were forced to defend early in the second half, although Berbatov should have added a second goal in the 51st minute, when Steed Malbranque slipped him through and he rounded Almunia but could not do the same to Kolo Tourй, who was the last defender.
Adebayor fired over the crossbar in Arsenal’s next move after Bacary Sagna raced down the right and cut the ball back. The Togo striker then tried to take it around Robinson but the goalkeeper timed his dive to perfection.
Arsиne Wenger then brought Tomas Rosicky on for Diaby to give his side another attacking dimension. Yet Spurs were still threatening a second goal, with Younes Kaboul heading over and Tom Huddlestone cracking a trademark volley wide from Chimbonda’s cross.
Jol has been frustrated with Spurs’ defending from set-pieces this season and a free-kick was their undoing again, with Arsenal levelling in the 65th minute. Adebayor nipped ahead of Robinson to meet Fabregas’s free-kick after Malbranque had fouled Mathieu Flamini.
Shortly after that, Fabregas got his stunning goal, receiving a pass from Rosicky before taking aim from 30 yards and bending into the top corner with the outside of his boot.
Darren Bent came on and was sent through but the striker missed his kick. Adebayor’s volley came in stoppage time to add to Spurs’ misery.
