Bendtner is north London star

Arsenal substitute Nicklas Bendtner scored the winner with his first touch as Tottenham wasted a glorious chance to finally beat their rivals before losing 2-1.

Dimitar Berbatov had cancelled out Emmanuel Adebayor's opener before earning a penalty at the Emirates Stadium - only for Robbie Keane to see his spot-kick saved by Manuel Almunia.

The Barclays Premier League leaders, who have not lost to Spurs since 1999, then grabbed the winner in the 76th minute when Bendtner was brought on.

The Gunners had their first sight of goal in the second minute when Mathieu Flamini hooked a volley that went just the wrong side of the angle of post and crossbar. Kolo Toure also got a header on target from a Cesc Fabregas free-kick - but neither of the early chances troubled Paul Robinson.

Robinson was forced into a save, at his near post from Emmanuel Eboue, who had recovered from knee and ankle problems. Robinson also had to save when Toure got on the end of Fabregas' corner just before the break.

If Arsenal looked short on ideas in the first half, they were quickly into gear after the restart and opened the scoring in the 48th minute. Tomas Rosicky fed Fabregas on the edge of the penalty area and the Spaniard backheeled to Adebayor. The Togo striker curled the ball around Robinson for his sixth goal against Spurs in just over a year.

Keane then smashed against the crossbar from point-blank range after Lennon had lofted a cross to the far post - but the equaliser came a minute later in the 66th minute.

Keane held the ball up on the touchline before backheeling to Berbatov. The Bulgaria striker took a touch and squeezed his shot through Toure and Flamini and into the near post.

Then came Keane's chance to put Spurs ahead after Berbatov was tripped by Toure. Almunia dived the right way and got enough on the ball for it to go to safety.

Wenger responded by bringing on Bendtner for Eboue in the 74th minute and his goal came seconds later when he rose to head Fabregas' corner home. Adel Taarabt had a late penalty shout turned down as Arsenal held on to extend their lead at the top.