Robert Pires again proved to be the thorn in Tottenham's side as he rescued Arsenal with a coolly-struck penalty.

Spurs were dominating the 132nd north London derby in a fashion their fans had not seen for many years but had only Christian Ziege's brilliant 11th-minute free-kick to show for their efforts.

But they hit the self-destruct button in the final minute of the first half when goalkeeper Kasey Keller made an unnecessary challenge on Thierry Henry as he chased a long ball which he did not look like reaching, and referee Neale Barry immediately pointed to the spot.

That was the cue for Pires, whose goals against Spurs include one in the FA Cup semi-final two years ago - Glenn Hoddle's first match in charge - and also the opener in the 1-1 draw in this fixture at White Hart Lane last season, to fire the Gunners level with their first goal for nearly four hours.

The Champions could easily have been three goals down to their fierce rivals - whose fans again taunted former skipper Sol Campbell throughout - but had Ashley Cole to thanks for two vital goal-line clearances.

There was nothing Arsenal could do to prevent Ziege giving Spurs an early lead, however, when a free-kick was awarded after Ray Parlour unfairly halted Gus Poyet's forward charge, in a central position 30 yards from goal.

Ziege had only one thing on his mind as he took a short run-up and hit the sweetest of left-foot drives which curled over the wall and into Seaman's top-left corner, giving the England goalkeeper little chance.

It was shades of Paul Gascoigne and the 1991 FA Cup semi-final, when Gazza beat Seaman from 35 yards, although that driven effort was a little more spectacular.

It was Ziege's second goal in successive games, having opened the scoring in the 3-1 victory over West Brom last week, also from a free-kick.

Spurs had set the trend after only six minutes. Ziege played a short corner and got the return pass from Darren Anderton before whipping in a low cross which Seaman saved with his right boot.

Four minutes later Spurs felt they should have had a penalty as Parlour sent Poyet tumbling with a nudge in the back, but Barry waved play on.

But justice was done from a Tottenham point of view as they took the lead a minute later, and Ziege took great delight in sliding to the floor in front of the Arsenal bench to celebrate.

Spurs were in total control and, just as had been the case at Highbury when these team met four weeks ago, home advantage was making all the difference.

Tottenham coach Hoddle appeared to be winning the tactical battle against his former mentor, Arsene Wenger, too.

He recalled Goran Bunjevcevic after a suspension and bolstered his midfield with Steffen Freund and Poyet, leaving out Chris Perry, Jamie Redknapp and Simon Davies. For Arsenal, Wenger was deprived of skipper Patrick Vieira and defender Pascal Cygan through injury, so Ray Parlour and Martin Keown started.

The battle-hardened Poyet was one of Tottenham's inspirations early on, while Steve Carr looked his old self down the right flank against the team who are believed to covet him, and Robbie Keane was fired up and looking lively in his first north London derby on home territory.

After 14 minutes Ashley Cole - making his 100th appearance for the Gunners - made the first of those two clearances. Darren Anderton delivered precision corner from the left and Dean Richards' header was blocked by the England defender.

Gilberto Silva was guilty of planting a free header wide from Henry's corner after 25 minutes, before Cole was the saviour again after half-an-hour when Spurs put together a flowing move involving Carr and Poyet which was certainly worthy of a goal.

The ball eventually arrived at the feet of Keane, six yards from goal and although he beat Seaman with his shot, it was cleared off the line by the covering Cole.

Spurs sat back a little for the first time and Freddie Ljungberg took full advantage. He ran down the right and delivered a cross which was met by Henry's diving header, but Keller produced a brilliant flying save to tip the ball round his post.

It seemed as if the danger had passed and Spurs would take their slender lead into half-time but Keller's rush of blood when he clipped Henry's ankles presented Pires with the chance to send Arsenal in on level terms, and he duly obliged from the spot, with the American goalkeeper earning a yellow card for his misdemeanour.

When the game resumed it was Spurs on the back foot as, after 52 minutes, Henry went on one of his jinking runs which saw him bamboozle the defenders before squaring the ball for Dennis Bergkamp, but Richards arrived with a good tackle to deny the Dutchman his 100th goal for Arsenal.

Spurs re-grouped and Keane was denied twice in the space of four minutes by Seaman. First, the big goalkeeper beat him in a chase for a long through-ball after 58 minutes, then he made a point-blank save with his legs after the Republic of Ireland striker latched on to Poyet's header.

The home side had the better chances in the closing stages, but they could not find a way past Seaman.

Spurs will feel they should have claimed a rare derby win on their first-half performance alone, but they will also be relieved to have held off Arsenal's second-half fightback.

Teams

Tottenham: Keller, Bunjevcevic, King, Richards, Ziege, Poyet, Anderton (Davies 71), Freund, Carr, Sheringham, Keane.

Subs Not Used: Hirschfeld, Perry, Iversen, Clemence.

Booked: Keller, Sheringham, Freund.

Goals: Ziege 11.

Arsenal: Seaman, Lauren, Keown, Campbell, Cole, Ljungberg (Toure 87), Parlour, Silva, Pires (van Bronckhorst 80), Henry, Bergkamp (Wiltord 71).

Subs Not Used: Taylor, Upson.

Booked: Lauren, Parlour.

Goals: Pires 45 pen.

Att: 36,076

Ref: N Barry (N Lincolnshire).