Arsenal returned to winning ways in the Premiership with substitute Robert Pires scoring the all-important goal to claim a 5-4 victory in a nine-goal derby thriller.
Tottenham's new head-coach Martin Jol must have wondered what he let himself in for as he experienced every kind of emotion during his first North London derby.
Jol, who only took over the managerial hot-seat at the start of the week, was thrilled to see his side score four goals against the champions, but was also terrified to see his defence concede five goals.
He said: "I have experienced both good and bad feelings during this game. At one moment I was feeling very proud, especially during the first half and then it all went wrong.
"The equaliser was a bad moment for us. We wanted to play football from the back, but it was not enough against Arsenal.
"When you play the champions, you can't afford to lose the ball because they will punish you.
"Maybe they won't get four goals put past them again. If we can score four against the best team in England, we must be doing something right.
"We gave them a game, but couldn't get on top of them because we gave away goals which you don't expect at this level.
"We have to learn not to be sloppy at the back. But I have never been involved in a game like this. It's crazy." Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: "I am concerned about the goals we have conceded, but it was a derby.
"Today was a crazy version of these derby games. I am pleased with our mental strength, but I'm not pleased about conceding goals.
"As a game it was a little bit special. Tottenham never gave up and they fought until the last seconds. It would have been a big blow not to get the three points.
"We played with more freedom in the second half and won the game. Did I enjoy it? Only when we had a two-goal cushion.
"We have had a hangover since the Manchester United game and our confidence levels have dropped. But we are getting back to our usual form." The home side could have broken the deadlock after just four minutes when Jermain Defoe's cross fell perfectly for Pedro Mendes, who struck a firm volley straight into the path of Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann.
Defoe continued to cause all kinds of problems for the Arsenal defence on 17 minutes when he broke away from Pascal Cygan and burst free into the penalty box.
Defoe's strike partner Robbie Keane was unmarked inside the box, but the England striker's low cross was well beaten out by Lehmann.
Arsenal had to wait until the half hour mark before creating their first clear-cut opportunity.
Thierry Henry's corner eventually fell to Dennis Bergkamp on the edge of the box, but the Dutch striker dragged his shot well wide of the goal.
The game erupted into life on 36 minutes when Noureddine Naybet fired the home side into the lead.
Michael Carrick's free-kick into the box fell perfectly for the experienced defender who made no mistake firing a sweet left-foot shot past Lehmann into the corner of the net.
Naybet was then needlessly booked for his over-celebrations, but the defender didn't care as the fans went into raptures over the opening strike.
Tottenham could have easily doubled their lead just two minutes later when Reto Ziegler's deep free-kick into the box was met by Noe Pamarot's looping header which produced a superb save from Lehmann who tipped the ball over the bar.
Arsenal fought their way back into the game and Cygan was unfortunate to see his close-range header on 41 minutes fall just over the bar.
But as we know by now, Arsenal simply refuse to lie down and snatched an equaliser on the stroke of half-time.
Lauren's cross into the penalty box was taken down superbly by Henry and he held off the challenge of Ledley King to strike the ball past Paul Robinson.
Arsenal wasted no time in taking the lead on 54 minutes. Pamarot brought down Freddie Ljungberg inside the box and referee Steve Bennett pointed to the penalty spot.
Lauren made no mistake firing the spot kick past Robinson into the corner of the net.
Arsenal then went into overdrive and added a third on the hour mark. Patrick Vieira disposed Naybet of the ball and raced towards goal before cooling slotting the ball past the Spurs keeper.
The home side refused to lie down and Defoe got his side back into the game on 61 minutes when he weaved his way into the box and fired an unstoppable shot past Lehmann into the top right-hand corner.
But Arsenal restored their two-goal advantage on 68 minutes when Cesc Fabregas picked out Ljungberg in the box and he slid the ball past Robinson to make it 4-2 to Arsenal.
Supporters were staring to lose count in this crazy affair when King pulled another goal back for Spurs on 73 minutes. The England defender rose the highest to head the ball past Lehmann.
Arsenal then made it five on 80 minutes when Henry found Pires and the French winger displayed a fantastic piece of skill before tucking the ball under Robinson.
Tottenham were determined to make a game of it until the final whistle and left everyone hanging on the edge of their seats when substitute Freddie Kanoute added a fourth for the home side on 87 minutes.
But Wenger's side held on to claim a memorable 5-4 win over their arch rivals at White Hart Lane.
Man of the Match: Michael Brown – The Spurs midfielder gave an impressive all-round display in a losing cause and deserved better for his efforts.