Derby blues

Gooners 2 Spurs 1

Team: Robbo, Lee (Taarabt), Chimbo, Kaboul, Tainio, O'Hara, Steed, KPB (Huddlestone), Lennon, Keano (Defoe), Berba

Performance and possession-wise, I think you could say it was Spurs' first half. A very open game with space all over the pitch and Spurs knocked the ball around comfortably and with confidence. Robbo's kicking to Berba was particularly accurate

Ramos has certainly waved a magic wand over the team who are now looking as good as they did last season. However, a couple of criticisms I have is that they were not getting in any decent shots - two out of the three were miles wide; Boateng with the only good chance on 40 minutes. Also, not closing down the opponents quickly enough (that old chestnut).

Annoyingly, the commentators once again made reference to Berbatov's facial expression and body language! They are like a cracked record and totally uncalled for considering he was having a good game. How many players do you see running around with big grins on their faces?!!!

Jamie O'Hara, given his first start today and bearing in mind how big this tie is, played exceptionally well. I was very impressed and would expect him to make the first team on a regular basis.

The second half didn't start well. The Gooners came out all guns blazing and had clearly been given a kick up the arse (pun intended). Adebayour scored three minutes in and for the first time in the game our defence were off guard.

Spurs got back in the game in the 65th minute. O'Hara's fantastic pass to Lennon who in turn found Keane at the far post, and unfortunately the ball rattled the crossbar. Just 30 seconds later, Spurs were level when Berba smashed the top of the net from a very acute angle. In the 72nd minute referee Rob Stiles awarded Spurs a penalty after Berba was caught by Toure in the middle of the box. Feelings of disbelief that we could go 2-1 up were somehow justified when Keano failed to net the spot kick in his usual manner. The direction of his kicks (right of the goalie) are becoming too frequent, but he usually hits them high out of the reach of the goalkeeper's hands. A rare miss and a crucial one - I feel the pressure of the occasion got to him.

Two minutes later, the game turned sour when substitute Bendtner headed Arsenal into the lead from a header - his first touch! Spurs didn't recover after that and a few heads went down and the frustration showed.

ARGH! So close. I really don't know how we lost this game as Arsenal certainly weren't at their best and our lads are improving more and more. Our seasons always seem to be filled with 'if onlys' and here's another one. :(