Tottenham deal body blow to Arsenal's Premier League title hopes

Tottenham Hotspur revived their prospects of Champions League soccer next season and crushed Arsenal's Premier League title hopes with a memorable 2-1 win in the North London derby on Wednesday.

Spurs took the lead after 10 minutes with a stunning goal from 19-year-old winger Danny Rose, making his league debut, who scored with an astonishing 30-metre left-foot volley.

The home side, who had not beaten Arsenal in the Premier League for 20 matches since November 1999, doubled their lead a minute into the second half when Gareth Bale scored his first goal of the season after being played in by Jermain Defoe.

The atmosphere in the ground, already at fever-pitch because of the return of much-loathed former Spurs skipper Sol Campbell, went off the scale in the last five minutes when Nicklas Bendtner scored for Arsenal.

The result left Spurs fifth on 61 points, one point behind Manchester City in fourth spot, which brings with it the chance of a Champions League place next season 

Arsenal remained third, six points behind leaders Chelsea and with their title hopes virtually over.

Arsenal, who dominated possession for long periods and played some excellent approach soccer, were thwarted by a rock-solid Spurs defence.

Goalkeeper Huerelho Gomes kept Arsenal out with three stupendous saves in the final 10 minutes until Bendtner capitalised on a cross from Theo Walcott after 85 minutes.

The result was the perfect pick-me-up for Spurs, who were knocked out of the FA Cup in the semifinal by Portsmouth on Sunday, before they face Chelsea at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

Arsenal, knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona last week, now face a trip to Wigan Athletic on Sunday and hope that other results go their way if they are to have any chance of claiming the title.

One bright spot for them on an otherwise miserable night was the return of Dutch striker Robin van Persie after five months out injured.