Tottenham only just managed to prevent themselves from being completely overwhelmed in the breathless waves of passing moves that surged through them. Vieira headed wide from Van Persie's free-kick on 37 minutes and the Dutch striker's turn and shot moments later just brushed past Robinson's post. Only Jermain Defoe threatened for Tottenham, forcing a save out of Jens Lehmann after Michael Carrick stole possession from Gilberto Silva.
Tottenham stretched the Arsenal defence - where Philippe Senderos once again gave a compelling case for him keeping his place ahead of Sol Campbell - when he nudged the ball out of Frédéric Kanouté's stride as the striker rushed down the byline. The half-hearted Tottenham appeals for a penalty were waved away by Riley.
That Tottenham asserted themselves at all in the second half was a return of the faith of Martin Jol who, with Mido and Keane on the bench, resisted the temptation to make a change. Defoe speared one of the few chances with which he was presented into the expectant crowd of Tottenham fans in the Clock End but the persistence of the England striker jarred Arsenal, not least Lehmann who shoved him over as they waited for a corner.
Lauren dished out a crafty elbow that caught Erik Edman's temple and the Swedish left-back was then the victim of a collision with Fabregas's elbow that left him groggy. The gap that had been so embarrassing in the first half, however, closed a little as Tottenham laboured to shut down the left wing that was such an open corridor for Pires in the first half.