Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 1 Arsenal

	Stephen Carr hooks the ball away from the lurking Robert Pires at the Lane (PhilCole/Allsport)

They saved their reputation in this belligerent and bitter turf war, just as Tottenham fans were celebrating what they believed was one more famous victory over their rivals from the other side of the Seven Sisters Road.

The draw that reduced Manchester United's Premiership lead to five points was no more than Arsenal deserved.

Despite showing more quality and more attacking ideas in the second half, it appeared Arsene Wenger's side were destined for defeat after Sergei Rebrov's opportunistic header in the 31st minute.

Then, with referee Jeff Winter glancing frequently at his watch, Arsenal forced a corner on the right.

Silvinho swung in a deceptive cross and Vieira, who appeared to drag down Les Ferdinand as he jumped, planted a header into the gaping goal.

The equaliser reduced an emotional crowd to near silence. Spurs could not believe that all their hard work, industry and commitment had been nullified by a goal of such stunning simplicity.

But if anyone was to have a defining impact in this match, it was Vieira. He had been left out of the starting line-up because of a hamstring injury that had given him problems over the last two weeks.

Wenger only wanted to risk him in an emergency and when the manager sent him on midway through the second half, it was definitely in response to an SOS.

Without the tall, spirited Vieira, Arsenal not only lacked passion, but also direction and intent. As soon as he muscled his way into the action, the Gunners were transformed. Suddenly, there was a fervour about their football that had been missing in the first half.

They stormed forward and were only thwarted by the kind of steadfast defending that George Graham has instilled into this unflinching Tottenham side whose home form has become as impressive as Manchester United's.

The signs were there even before Vieira's 62nd-minute introduction.

A run by Thierry Henry had set up a chance for Gilles Grimandi soon after the break but he saw his shot stopped by Neil Sullivan. Then, after Ray Parlour had again done well down the left flank, Henry saw another shot safely held by the Scotland goalkeeper.

As Arsenal stepped up the pressure, so they made more chances and Henry appeared certain to score until Chris Perry somehow got back to deny him on the goal line.

When Dennis Bergkamp entered the fray along with Sylvain Wiltord, it was another indication of Arsenal's do-ordie attitude. They continued to win most of the ball in mid-field and attacked down both flanks with such frequency that Spurs were stretched to breaking point.

Close to the final whistle, when Tony Adams had a header from point-blank range turned aside, Wenger must have believed he was fated to go home empty-handed.

But when Vieira climbed highest to head home, the result, as even Graham conceded, was probably fair. For Spurs, and for their outgoing chairman Alan Sugar, it was a bitter way to end the evening.

It was so different early on. Spurs, showing the organisation and discipline that is Graham's trademark, had reduced Arsenal to the role of passive onlookers as they won the ball in midfield, controlled the tempo of the game and managed to create a few chances.

Arsenal, neat, businesslike and efficient, failed to test Sullivan at all in the first half as Tottenham's defence closed ranks in front of him.

As Tottenham's confidence grew, so did the expansiveness of their football. They began to move the ball around, their running off the ball looked dangerous and their passing became crisp and clean.

They were rewarded with a goal that was down to the quick reactions of a man who has been desperate to prove himself at White Hart Lane.

Darren Anderton's first touch gave himself the opportunity to hit a clean shot from 20 yards and as it skidded off the damp surface, goalkeeper Alex Manninger could only push it away.

But there was Rebrov, the little Ukrainian, to dive head-long and force the rebound home for his sixth goal of the season.

It almost proved decisive. But Arsenal's equaliser showed how resilient they are, how they are still equipped to challenge Manchester United.

These days, not even a foray into enemy territory can intimidate them into giving up what they hold so dear - another challenge for the Premiership title.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (3-5-2): Sullivan; Perry, Campbell, Thelwell; Carr, Anderton, Sherwood, King, Clemence; Rebrov (Armstrong 81), Ferdinand. Booked: Ferdinand, Sherwood

ARSENAL (4-4-2): Manninger; Dixon, Keown, Adams, Silvinho; Ljungberg, Parlour, Grimandi (Vieira 62), Pires (Bergkamp 62); Henry, Kanu (Wiltord 71). Booked: Pires.

Man of the Match: Neil Sullivan