Spurs in History - 18th October

18th October, 1989

Spurs 2 Arsenal 1

Vinny Samways

Spurs had not beaten Arsenal since 1985. However, going into this game with successive victories over Q.P.R. and Charlton, Spurs' form under Terry Venables was showing improvement.

Newspaper reports, at the time, saw the victory as their most important result under Terry Venables, laying the North London hoodoo which Arsenal had maintained since his arrival.

Spurs won following five frantic minutes during the first half when a ‘red’ mist descended upon Tony Adams and from two free-kicks conceded by him, they scored both goals through Vinny Samways and Paul Walsh.

Despite a second half goal conceded, Spurs created the better goalscoring chances for Gary Lineker and won with the help of goalkeeper Erik Thorstvedt.

Team: Thorstvedt; Thomas, M., Mabbutt, Fenwick, Van den Hauwe; Allen, P., Gascoigne, Samways (Howells), Sedgley; Walsh, Lineker.