Baptista makes full amends

SOCCER: Tottenham 2, Arsenal 2Julio Baptista tilted this north London argument back and forth last night as Arsenal's Brazilian forward put through his own goal and then struck twice in the second half to tear the initiative away from Tottenham, 2-0 ahead early on, in this League Cup semi-final first leg.

Arsenal were soon flustered even though they had been afforded every opportunity to compose themselves. Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes because Arsenal, after their bus was held up in traffic, still enjoyed their normal schedule. Better, apparently, that 36,000 spectators be kept waiting than that they should be obliged to rush a little.

The bulk of the onlookers had no cause to be churlish when the first half was so greatly to their liking. With 12 minutes gone, Pascal Chimbonda passed to Jermain Defoe and an unmarked Dimitar Berbatov headed in his cross. Kolo Toure had lost track of the Bulgarian but appeared to upbraid the goalkeeper from not coming off his line to catch the ball initially. That must have added to the delight, even if there have been too many false starts against Arsenal for anyone to assume Martin Jol's side had a clear run to the final.

The more lugubrious fan would have felt a stirring of melancholy when Berbatov had to go off injured. Tottenham had been delighting in his panache almost as much as his goal.

Arsenal established none of the rhythm that had pulverised Liverpool at Anfield in the previous round and they were spasmodic when in possession. Baptista was to have a largely unhappy time before the interval and his neatest involvement doubled Spurs' lead. When Tom Huddlestone bent in a low free-kick from the left after 21 minutes, the Brazilian touched the ball into the net for the deftest of own-goals.

The single moment of promise for Arsenal before the interval featured a run and pass by Jeremie Aliadiere that left Cesc Fabregas in too wide a position to score. For a long while the maturity of the opposition did look an obstacle to Arsene Wenger's side and Tottenham allied that to a fast, energetic approach. At that stage, Michael Dawson was the epitome of security in defence and Aaron Lennon summoned up all his vivacity on the flank.

A switch of philosophy was called for as Arsenal sought to ensure there would be a realistic prospect of recovery in the second leg. So it was that established figures of Alexander Hleb and Emmanuel Eboue were introduced. Suddenly a goal for Arsenal had become a realistic prospect and, within two minutes, it was a fact.

Eboue passed to Baptista and he eluded Dawson to score with a low drive. It was a spectacular turn of events for a striker who had been hapless until then and it reflected the transformation of the contest.

The equaliser completed the revamping of Baptista's status in this fixture. The man who hit four at Anfield had a double here after turning in Justin Hoyte's low cross. Now it was Arsenal who appeared to be ensuring they would be in a favourable situation for the return.

TOTTENHAM:Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Gardner, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Zokora, Huddlestone, Malbranque, Berbatov (Keane 18), Defoe (Mido 81). Subs not used: Cerny, Young-Pyo Lee, Ghaly. Booked: Defoe.

ARSENAL:Almunia, Hoyte, Toure, Senderos, Traore, Denilson, Fabregas, Diaby (Hleb 56), Julio Baptista, Aliadiere (Eboue 60), Walcott, Hleb (Flamini 81). Subs not used: Poom, Randall. Booked: Julio Baptista, Toure, Traore.

Referee:G Poll (Hertfordshire).