Spurs Away Record Against Arsenal

Last season's recovery from a two goal deficit was Tottenham's first success at the Emirates and their first away win over Arsenal since May, 1993.  Having won at White Hart in October, Spurs are seeking their first 'double' over their north London rivals since that 1992-93 season.

Last season Spurs staged a remarkable recovery to win at the Emirates for the first time.  When Spurs went two goals down with less than thirty minutes played, it looked as if it was going to be a familiar story of disappointment and defeat.  At the interval, Harry Redknapp replaced Aaron Lennon with Jermain Defoe and switched to 4 - 4 - 2 formation as Spurs demonstrated their true ability.  Gareth Bale's goal after fifty minutes brought them back into the game.  Rafael Van der Vaart then coolly scored from the penalty spot with twenty three minutes remaining and Younes Kaboul completed the comeback by heading the winner from a Van der Vaart free-kick with five minutes left.

Nov. 2010 PL Won 3 - 2  Bale, Van der Vaart (pen), Kaboul
Team: Gomes; Hutton, Gallas, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon (Defoe), Jenas, Modric, Bale; Van der Vaart (Palacios); Pavlyuchenko (Crouch)

May, 1993 PL Won 3 - 1  Sheringham, Hendry (2)
Team: Walker; McDonald, Mabbutt, Ruddock, Van den Hauwe; Anderton, Hill, Sedgley, Allen, P.; Sheringham, Hendry (Hodges)
Arsenal, having beaten Spurs by a single goal at Wembley a few weeks earlier, were days away from the FA Cup Final against Sheffield Wednesday.  They fielded an understrength team for the final League game of the season.  Teddy Sheringham put Spurs ahead five minutes before half-time.  John Hendry, starting only his second game of the season, increased the lead a minute into the second half.  Arsenal pulled one back six minutes later but Hendry added his second with twelve minutes remaining.  This was Spurs last success at Highbury.  Spurs finished the season in 8th position while Arsenal were tenth.

Of greater significance, however, were the events off the pitch which were to come to light in the following days papers.  Unknown to the mass of Spurs supporters around the world, was the behind closed doors activities in the Board Room that was about to bring to light the great fall-out between Alan Sugar and Terry Venables and drag the club’s good name through the newspapers and the courts for some considerable time.  This would be Venables’ last game with any responsibility for Spurs and what had seemed to be a glimmer of hope for a brighter future was to be extinguished beyond repair.  

Away League Record against Arsenal:

P  70  W  17  D  19  L  34  For  79  Ag  112

Away Premier League Record against Arsenal:

P  19  W  2  D  7  L  10  For  18  Ag  33 

Memorable  Matches:

Oct. 2008  PL  Draw 4 - 4  Bentley, Bent, Jenas, Lennon

Officially, this was Harry Redknapp's first game as manager of Spurs although he had been present for the first win of the season against Bolton the previous Sunday.  Spurs got off to the perfect start when David Bentley scored with a wonder strike after thirteen minutes.  Arsenal equalised before half-time and William Gallas put them ahead in the first minute after the interval.  Emmanuel Adebayor got his customary goal to make it 3 - 1 but three minutes later substitute, Darren Bent, pulled a goal back, only two minutes after coming on.  A minute later Arsenal restored their two goal advantage.  Approaching the final minute they still maintained their lead but Jermaine Jenas scored in the 89th minute only for Lennon to complete the recovery a minute later. 

Apr. 2006  PL  Draw 1 - 1  Keane 

With only three games left in the season, this match was crucial in the battle for fourth place and Champions League qualification.  Spurs had held fourth for much of the season but Arsenal were making a final bid to deprive Spurs of their first Champions League outing.  Goalless at half-time Robbie Keane had given Spurs the lead after 66 minutes - advantage Spurs.  However, with six minutes remaining, Henry equalised having been set up by Adebayor.  In the final minutes Spurs had to hold on with ten men as Edgar Davids was sent off for two yellow card offences.  

Martin Jol's side won their final home game but Arsenal with a game in hand won their next two and so it went down to the final day when a sickly Spurs team were beaten at West Ham and Arsenal snatched fourth from their grasp.

Preview - Spurs Record at Norwich

Tottenham play catch up again as they travel to Norwich for an evening kick-off at the end of the second set of matches for the Christmas/New Year period.  Norwich have made a favourable impression on their return to the Premier League following an absence of six seasons.

Norwich City were last in the Premier League in season 2004 - 05, a one season sojourn before returning to the Championship.  They won automatic promotion last season as runners-up to champions QPR and are currently the highest of the three promoted teams in ninth position with 21 points.  They've gained 14 of those points at Carrow Road with four wins and two draws.  Their only home defeats have been against Arsenal (1 - 2) having taken a first half lead and WBA who took an early lead and held out for the next 87 minutes.  In their last home match they defeted Newcastle United 4 - 2 with goals from Wes Hoolahan, Grant Holt (2) and Steve Morison.

Norwich started their season with a draw at Wigan (1 - 1) and followed it with a home draw with Stoke City.  Following defeat at Chelsea and at home to West Brom their first win of the season came at Bolton.  They then won their first home game against Sunderland (2 - 1).  Swansea City lost 1 - 3 at Carrow Road and then Blackburn took a point home from a six goal thriller at Norwich.  Since the home defeat to Arsenal they have enjoyed home success against QPR (2 - 1) and Newcastle.  After a difficult start to life in the Premier League they have shown a resilience, an attacking spirit and a work ethic for which they have been rewarded, especially at home.

Their leading goal scorer is Holt with 7 Premier League goals but Morision is close behind with 6.  Anthony Pilkington has four goals.

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John Ruddy in goal has impressed for Norwich, especially when the team earned a point at Anfield in mid-October, thanks to his display.  Tottenham's Kyle Naughton will be missing from the team as he is ineligible while on loan from Spurs, although he is also suspended for five bookings - convenient.  He has established himself as regular in the team and is gaining good Premier League experience which hopefully will be of benefit to him on his return to White Hart Lane. Norwich are a hard working, well organised team who give their all in every game without any 'star' names.  They are making the most of this opportunity in the Premier League and their manager Paul Lambert knows that they must continue in a similar vein throughout the season to avoid an instant return to the Championship, the fate that befell them when they last won promotion.

Tottenham's Record at Norwich
Totenham have visited Carrow Road on four occasions in the Premier League with a record of three wins and a draw.  The last two matches were on Boxing Day and ended with Spurs winning 2 - 0.  In 2004 Robbie Keane and Michael Brown were the scorers, while in 1994 the goals came from Nicky Barmby and Teddy Sheringham.  The previous April, Spurs won 2 - 1 and Sheringham scored again.  The other goal was an own goal.  On Boxing Day, 1992 the clubs played out a scoreless draw.    

The overall League record:

P  24  W  8  D  6  L  10  For  32  Ag  36

As can be seen, Spurs record in the Premier League matches has improved the overall record which is not too impressive.  Matches have been close but Norwich have had the upper hand.  

In August, 1991 a Gary Lineker goal was enough to earn Spurs the points but the previous April Spurs lost 1 - 2, a few days ahead of their FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal.  The most notable aspect of the game was the return of Paul Gascoigne after missing five games following an operation.  Gascoigne was using this game to test out his fitness for the weekend's big match.  That Spurs lost was an irrelevance at the time and that John Hendry scored his first goal on his League debut for Spurs and that Ian Walker and Peter Garland also made their debuts has largely been forgotten.

The first League meeting between the clubs was in season 1935 - 36 in the 2nd Division.  Spurs lost by the only goal of the game on their first League visit to Norfolk in April, 1936.  The following season they won their first League match at Carrow Road - Johnny Morrison scoring a hat-trick in their 3 - 2 success.

Having met in four consecutive seasons up to 1939, the clubs didn't meet again in League football until Norwich won promotion to the 1st Division in 1972 when Norwich won 2 - 1, Martin Chivers scoring Spurs only goal.

Spurs eventually managed a win in March, 1978, their relegation season.  Goals from John Pratt, Gerry Armstrong and Peter Taylor gave them a 3 - 1 win.

On gaining promotion after a year's absence, it took Spurs seven attempts before winning at Carrow Road.  In December, 1994, Tony Galvin and Garth Crooks scored the goals as Spurs won two nil.

Norwich have proved difficult opponents for Spurs teams in the past and the current Spurs team can expect a difficult evening with a team prepared to battle against them in an effort to put them out of their stride.  The good news for Spurs is that Rafael Van der Vaart has recovered from injury and is expected to play.

Spurs in History - 11th May

11th May, 1993

Arsenal 1 Spurs 3 (Premier League)

The final game of the season and the last occasion when Spurs left Highbury with three points. Arsenal put out a weakened team due to their Cup commitments but that didn’t detract from the pleasure of the Spurs supporters as the team completed the double over their North London rivals to finish eighth, two places above them. Spurs goals were scored by Teddy Sheringham and a young Scottish player, John Hendry who got two.

However, unknown to the mass of Spurs supporters around the world, was the behind closed doors activities in the Board Room that was about to bring to light the great fall-out between Alan Sugar and Terry Venables and drag the club’s good name through the newspapers and the courts for some considerable time.

This would be Venables’ last game with any responsibility for Spurs and what had seemed to be a glimmer of hope for a brighter future was to be extinguished beyond repair.