Saturday 31 August 2013

North London derby nostalgia - our top four moments

IT'S that time of year again. The North London derby brings nerves and excitement bubbling to the surface as if it were your A-level results, graduation or wedding day - except, of course, it's far more important than that!

Taxi For Maicon looks back at our favourite moments from recent clashes. It's been said a number of times that top five isn't good enough, so here's our top four...

4. Aaron Lennon - March 2013

Andre Villas-Boas' debut season had yielded some good results - not least our first win at Manchester United since before dinosaurs roamed the earth.

The organisation of a side getting used to AVB's tactical nous was clear to see but would it hold up in the pressure-cooker atmosphere? 

The answer was a resounding yes as the very same pass in-between the Gunners' centre-backs caught them out twice in three minutes at the end of the first half.

First Gareth Bale and then Aaron Lennon beat the offside trap to ensure we got our own back for the November thumping at the Emirates.

3. Rafa Van Der Vaart - April 2011

The Dutchman relished derby day and he embodied everything Spurs stands for - style, raw passion and undoubted entertainment. Oh, and he was a bit injury prone, eccentric and unpredictable - we're suckers for all that.

VdV secured his place in derby nostalgia when he "shushed" the Arsenal fans after his first goal in a 3-3 draw at the Lane. 

Then, after his second goal to complete the comback from 3-1 down, he quite literally wrestled the ball off Wojciech Szczesny after an evening-long battle with the pole.

2. Danny Rose - April 2010

One of the best debut strikes in Spurs history. We had just lost at Sunderland and had a nightmare run coming up against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United as our fight for fourth looked doomed.

At home to the Gooners, youngster Rose was drafted in at left-back as injuries took hold. And, as Manuel Almunia punched out a 10th-minute corner, he lashed a 25-yard volley through a crowded box and almost took the keeper's head off as it flew into the net.

Spurs went on to win 2-1 and beat Chelsea the following weekend before ultimately qualifying for the Champions League with a 1-0 win away at Manchester City in our penultimate game.

1. Younes Kaboul - November 2010

Two-nil down at the Emirates. Same old story as it had been for the last 17 years as we'd consistently failed to win at Arsenal.

But goals from Gareth Bale and a Rafa penalty had hauled us level with 20 minutes remaining and we were all starting to think, "Hang on, we could do this."

With five minutes left, we were ready to settle for a draw until Younes Kaboul met a free-kick from deep and glanced his header into the bottom corner. 

Another record broken and a huge hoodoo off our back, so hopefully we won't have to wait so long for another victory at the Emirates...

Roll on 4pm tomorrow! Come on you Spurs.

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