The Spurs boss said he was proud of his side, claiming they had good chances, and that they played a controlled game throughout the 90.

 

“I am proud of my players,” he said. “What Adebayor did could have been any player and on any day.”

 

He also disputed the fact that the sending off changed the complexion of the game. With 11 versus 11, Spurs were a goal up and enjoying the afternoon. As

Adebayor walked off on 17 minutes, the heads dropped and Arsenal found themselves leading 3-1 by half time.

 

“The sending off did not change the game,” he claimed. “We carried on being bold, and brave, and trying to attack.”

 

And he refused to blame the striker for losing his head.

 

“These challenges happen,” he said.

 

“The referee had a decision to make. I'm not annoyed with Adebayor.” 

 

Despite AVB's bravado and his wish to defend his team he couldn;t hide froma score line that saw five in the wrong column. Yet it could have been so different. The opener came on 10, and Spurs had already had an effort ruled out for off side. Defoe found space on the left and his angled shot could only be parried into the path of the non rushing Adebayor by Arsenal keeper Szczesny.

 

But Tottenham,'s bright opening fell to bits after Adebayor got a straight red for a terrible tackle on Cazorla. Suddenly Arsenal had some pomp about them.

 

They equalised on 25, when Mertesacker rose highest and powered his header home, and then it went from bad to worse for Spurs as Podolski and then Giroud took advantage of a sustained piece of pressure to put home team 3-1 up.

 

AVB made a bold switch at half time, throwing on Dawson and Dempsey and going three at the back. It gave the side 10 minutes of early enjoyment before Cazorla broke and made it four for Arsenal. The action didn't end there: on 70, Bale made it a little less painful with a run and right foot strike from distance to make it 4-2. Walcott hit a fifth in the dying seconds.

 

But AVB believes his new look Spurs are on track for a good season.

 

“I'm under no pressure,” he claimed.

“We have players coming back and we've had tough games.”

 

ARSENAL COMMENT by RICHARD OSLEY

 

Spurs know how they can beat Arsenal, but so often fail to put their plans into practice, undermine themselves with mistakes or panic. It is quite common for Tottenham to score first but then parp it all away. Today's culprit was Emmanuel Adebayor. Others have played that role in the past for Spurs in the derby match. Today, we will never know how Tottenham would have handled things if they had kept a full team on the pitch while leading the game. And it means we have few clues about where Arsenal can go next. Players like Arteta, Wilshere and Walcott thrived with the extra space. The key is making sure they can be consistent with this flying attacking style. More positive from today's match is that when the Gunners got ahead, they stay ahead. There can't afford to be any more surrendering of leads. It was sweet that there defence of this one came against the old enemy from up  the road.

 

Man of the Match: Playing against ten men and extra space gave SANTI CAZORLA the chance to boss the play. Not only did he score a reassuring fourth when things had the potential to turn edgy in the second half, he slowed the game down in the final ten minutes to make sure Arsenal did not suffer a repeat of the 4-4 draw from a few years back where Spurs scored twice in the last moments.

 

SPURS COMMENT by DAN CARRIER

 

EMMANUEL Adebayor is a seasoned pro. He is used to playing on big stages for big clubs. At Spurs last term, he gave us the edge we needed to finish in the top four. But why were Arsenal fans secretly pleased to receive £25m for him? Why did Manchester City have a look, and then let Real Madrid take him on loan, and then be so glad not to have him about the place they paid a load of his wages so he could appear at one of their league rivals? Today we saw the answer.

On 15 minutes, Spurs looked very comfortable. They were a goal up, swishing it about with panache, and Arsenal looked edgy. But then Ade, who wasn't even being particularly barracked by the home fans, throws himself dangerously in to a challenge at a stupid area of the pitch where nothing was on… there's an ugly melee and it's goodbye and good night. AVB had spoken of the players desire before the game to splat a custard pie in the Gooner's faces. Instead he was the one who ensured Spurs fans got a plate full of cream and custard square in the shnozzer.

 

Man of the Match: It was a torrid afternoon for all out there, but GARETH BALE did what he could to stamp his class on the occasion. He didn't stop running and hit a great second half goal.