Arsenal victory

Press, 6 January 1987, Page 21

Arsenal victory

NZPA-Reuter London The English first-division soccer leader, Arsenal, achieved the victory it treasures above all others when it beat Tottenham, 2-1, in the 100th meeting of the London rivals yesterday. With the over-all tally level at 39 wins apiece, the visiting Arsenal wasted little time in imposing its authority on the centenary game by taking a sixth-minute lead through the central defender, Tony Adams.

Arsenal, which now heads Everton by four points, made a furious start

Its speedy counter-attacks were a constant source of embarrassment to the Tottenham defence and it went further ahead five minutes before the interval when the full-back, Mitchell Thomas, pulled down Paul Davis on the edge of the box.

Justice was served when Charlie Nicholas tapped the free-kick into the path of Davis who beat the goalkeeper, Ray Clemence, with a firm, low shot which flew through the defensive wall.

A rare moment of uncertainty in the Arsenal defence allowed Tottenham to reduce the deficit on the stroke of half-time, an Osvaldo Ardiles cross eluding everyone before the inrushing Thomas lashed it high into the net.