North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham saw the first leg of their League Cup semifinal end in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
In a match where both sides put together some slick passing moves, Tottenham took the lead eight minutes before half-time when Jermaine Jenas calmly slotted home after being played in by Robbie Keane.
But for all their neat possession football Tottenham, looking for their first win against their old foes in 21 matches, couldn’t score a second and, with 11 minutes left, Arsenal levelled on the counter-attack through England’s Theo Walcott.
However, Spurs substitute Jermain Defoe missed from close range with five minutes remaining shortly after coming on.
The second leg takes place at White Hart Lane on January 22.
In the other semifinal Chelsea, the third London club in the last four, will take a 1-0 lead to Merseyside when they play Everton at Goodison Park on January 23. — Sapa-AFP