BY far the most surprising statistic of this donkey derby was that it was watched by a world-wide audience of 220 million. Whether any or all of that number bothered to sit through each petty foul and fluffed shot is open to doubt however.
In mitigation there was Tottenham's injury list, which Gerry Francis now mumbles like a mantra, and Arsenal's obvious determination not to let the old enemy get one over them. Victory would have put Arsene Wenger's side top of the table, but they will surely have to show more enterprise to win the Premiership.
The most positive note to emerge for Tottenham was that Darren Anderton completed a game for the first time since November. Although he failed to shape the game from midfield, he provided plenty of subtlety and went closest to scoring after the interval with one shot which almost crept under Lukic's body and another which the keeper saved after a desperate scramble.
At the other end Ian Wright had one of his quietest 90 minutes in an Arsenal shirt. That was due to a combination of lack of match fitness and the excellent Sol Campbell, who marshalled him superbly. Dennis Bergkamp was also subdued, although neither Arsenal striker had much of a supply line. They will need more than just scraps on Wednesday when Manchester United visit Highbury. The match is not quite a title showdown, but certainly a pointer.
Far from celebrating the West Ham United revival led by the new £7.3 million strike force of John Hartson and Paul Kitson, the travelling East End faithful endured a wake as the Hammers extended their tenure in the relegation zone following Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Derby County.
Goalless once more, Harry Redknapp's side remain the lowest scorers in England - and that includes the Vauxhall Conference. 20 goals in total are a passport to the First Division.
Hartson was booked for an elbow that knocked Igor Stimac flat, triggering a two-game ban. Having only just met, Hartson and Kitson were unable to offer more than a spasmodic threat, though they did enough to impress Paul McGrath. The veteran Irishman was keeping Hartson quiet for the second time in a week following the Republic's 0-0 draw in Wales on Tuesday. "Hartson's a handful. He puts himself about and I think he's going to be a good buy because when you need someone to dig in and battle, he's the man," McGrath said.
"He and Kitson are quality players and maybe we caught them at a good time before they built up an understanding." Both strikers refused to comment afterwards.
Derby won the game with a penalty in the 53rd minute, Dejan Asanovic putting away the spot-kick after being brought down by Rio Ferdinand. "All the lads thought Rio got the ball," said full-back Tim Breacker.
