Premier League: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 3

Tottenham produced an incredible comeback from two goals down to beat north London derby rivals Arsenal 3-2 at the Emirates

A dramatic late header from defender Younes Kaboul sealed a memorable afternoon for Spurs, who had gone into the half-time break 2-0 down and fortunate not to be further behind.

It was Tottenham’s first-ever victory at the Emirates and their first away league win against any of the Premier League’s ‘big four’ in 17 years, with the result preventing their rivals – who they had not beaten away from home since 1993 – going top of the English Premier League.

No wonder Tottenham fans celebrated wildly after second-half goals from Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart – the second a penalty – cancelled out early strikes from Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh, before Kaboul sent them into dreamland.

That scenario seemed unthinkable at the break, with Arsenal dominating a first half in which a shell-shocked Spurs failed to even get out of the blocks.

As early as the first minute the Gunners could have been ahead, with former Gunner William Gallas making a crucial tackle on Nasri as he bore down on goal.

But home fans didn’t have long to wait for the breakthrough, as the outstanding Nasri scored from the tightest of angles after forcing his way past goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes in the ninth minute.

Kaboul wasted a rare chance at the other end when he sent a header wide but Arsenal scored a classic goal on the break to double their lead.

Tottenham opted to play on when defender Alan Hutton was felled. But they were to regret the decision as Arsenal regained possession to sweep from one end of the field to the other to make it 2-0, with Chamakh doing superbly to turn home Arshavin’s low cross.

It could have been worse for Spurs when Chamakh and Nasri both wasted chances for a third goal just before half-time, and it was little wonder when Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp changed the shape of his team in the second half by bringing on Jermain Defoe for winger Aaron Lennon.

The switch reaped dividends as Spurs created a fine reply in the 50th minute, with Gareth Bale superbly tucking away Rafael van der Vaart’s clever pass.

The goal changed game and it was 2-2 by the 67th minute when Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas handled Van der Vaart’s free-kick as he jumped in the wall.

Referee Phil Dowd awarded a penalty, which Van der Vaart converted comfortably, and suddenly Tottenham were level.

Arsenal initially responded well. They had a goal by Sebastien Squillaci correctly ruled out for offside before Fabregas was denied by a fabulous finger-tip save by Gomes and then Laurent Koscielny sent a header over the bar when it seemed easier to score.

But Tottenham won it when Van der Vaart swung over a free-kick from the left in the 86th minute and Yaboul rose highest to head home.