Spurs Tottenham Hotspur
2-1
Arsenal

Lennon (39'), Bale (37')

FT(HT: 2-0)

Mertesacker (51')

Build-up

Tottenham Hotspur secure derby win over Arsenal

By Sam Hughes, Reporter | 03 March 2013

Tottenham Hotspur move into third place in the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Arsenal in the North London derby.

Tottenham Hotspur secured all three points in the North London derby, beating Arsenal 2-1 at White Hart Lane this afternoon.

Opposing managers Arsene Wenger and Andre Villas-Boas shake hands before the North London Derby on March 3, 2013 © PA Photos

Arsenal did the early attacking, with Theo Walcott having the first shot on goal, but the forward's effort was well blocked.

Arsene Wenger's side then had an opportunity when Olivier Giroud got in behind the Spurs defence, but his hesitation allowed the defenders to get back and clear.

Carl Jenkinson had a strike on goal on 13 minutes, but Hugo Lloris kept the effort out well.

Emmanuel Adebayor was given a yellow card after 19 minutes for a wild lunge of Jack Wilshere.

Arsenal had a chance to break on 28 minutes when Scott Parker gave away possession, but Giroud could not take full advantage and allowed Michael Dawson to clear.

The home side then took the lead after 37 minutes when Gareth Bale latched onto Gylfi Sigurdsson's through-ball and finished expertly.

Spurs attacker Gareth Bale opens the scoring against Arsenal on March 3, 2013 © PA Photos

Andre Villas-Boas's men doubled their advantage just two minutes later when Aaron Lennon got on the end of Scott Parker's pass, took it around Wojciech Szczesny and slotted home.

Spurs players congratulate Aaron Lennon after he put them 2-0 up against Arsenal on March 3, 2013 © PA Photos

Sigurdsson had the first chance of the second half after being set up by Bale, but the forward could only hit his strike over the bar.

Arsenal pulled a goal back on 51 minutes when Per Mertesacker got above the Spurs defence to glance a header into the back of the net from a Walcott free kick.

Lloris denied Aaron Ramsey on 53 minutes, bravely smothering the ball at the midfielder's feet after Jenkinson drilled the ball into the box.

Bale had a golden opportunity to restore Spurs' two-goal advantage on 59 minutes when Moussa Dembele crossed at the back post, but the winger blasted the ball into the stands.

Spurs had two chances around the 70-minute mark through Sigurdsson and Jermain Defoe, but neither could convert.

Bale hit a stinging volley soon after, but his strike from the edge of the area was straight at Szczesny.

Walcott came close to grabbing a late equaliser on 88 minutes, curling a free kick over the wall and just wide of the post.