Baptista pegs back Spurs
Baptista was on target again in the Carling Cup
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Wednesday, 24, Jan 2007 10:26
Julio Baptista scored at both ends as Arsenal came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Tottenham in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final.
In a classic game of two halves it was Arsenal who came away from White Hart Lane the most satisfied as their second-half fightback stunned Spurs.
The home side were in scintillating form in the first half, stretching the inexperienced Arsenal side across the field and exposing frailties at the back.
They took the lead after 12 minutes when Dimitar Berbatov rose above Kolo Toure to head past goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.
Seven minutes later Spurs made it 2-0 after a controversially-awarded Tom Huddlestone free kick bounced up and the ball went in off the heel of Baptista.
The Brazilian had a guilt-edged chance to make amends at the end of the first half but he mis-kicked with Paul Robinson's goal at his mercy.
However, the second period started in much the same fashion before the Gunners began to gain the ascendancy.
Arsene Wenger introduced Alexander Hleb ten minutes after the break and that coincided with Arsenal's best spell.
Baptista got a goal back in the 63rd minute after Theo Walcott played an awkward one-two with the striker who slotted home.
The comeback was complete when Baptista stole in again, meeting Justin Hoyte's square pass that beat the hapless Robinson to knock it into the empty net.
The result will please Arsenal more than their north London rivals and sets the tie up for a thrilling second leg at the Emirates Stadium next week.