Arsenal made the short trip to White Hart Lane last night but went a long way towards ensuring the successful defence of their Premiership title.

Two goals inspired by the brilliance of Dennis Bergkamp and an audacious flick and shot from Nwankwo Kanu five minutes from time proved the difference in this high-energy meeting between ancient foes as Arsenal moved three points clear of Manchester United at the top of the table, having played one game more.

This was arguably the most important north London Derby since May 1971, when Arsenal won 1-0 to take the title and match Tottenham's Double triumph of 10 years before. However, such is Tottenham's diminished stature these days that they approached last night's game more interested in scoring personal rather than Premiership points.

So it came as no surprise to find the atmosphere particularly charged and the current was turned up after only 17 minutes when Arsenal took the lead. The move began with some nifty footwork from Tony Adams deep in his own half. The England defender found Lee Dixon on the right who in turn fed Dennis Bergkamp, back in the side despite a niggling abdominal injury.

But the Dutchman proved he had the stomach for the fight by threading a classy pass through to Emmanuel Petit, who touched the ball past Luke Young then flicked it over Ian Walker.

It was no more than Arsenal deserved. They had almost gone ahead in the fifth minute when Bergkamp had found his Holland team-mate Marc Overmars free in the area, and only Walker's dash from the line to block the shot saved the day. Two minutes before the goal, Walker had to dive low to tip round Petit's 25-yard shot after excellent work by Ray Parlour and Nicolas Anelka.

Although Parlour was booked after 12 minutes for the traditional early upending of David Ginola, back in action after being relegated to the bench for last Saturday's defeat at Liverpool, Tottenham were struggling to trouble David Seaman. Their best early chance was provided by Dixon's poor back-pass which was pounced on by Chris Armstrong but his shot flew wide as he tangled with the advancing Seaman.

Both teams were showing the passion to match the occasion but Arsenal had the finesse, and on 33 minutes it told again. Bergkamp unfurled another glorious pass, this time from near the halfway line, which bisected Young and Sol Campbell and set Anelka free on goal. The young Frenchman kept his cool and waited for Walker to come off his line before poking the ball home.

It came as something of a surprise when Tottenham pulled a goal back in the 43rd minute. Arsenal's defending had been prone to the odd outbreak of uncertainty and when Patrick Vieira brought down Ginola 25 yards out, Darren Anderton took full advantage, curling a low free-kick inside Seaman's left-hand post.

Passions erupted on the restart when Anderton felled Vieira. Petit ran over to register his displeasure, pushing Tim Sherwood in the process. The Frenchman was given another yellow card to add to his already large collection.

But it did not take long for the game to resume its first-half pattern. On 51 minutes Overmars cleverly beat Steve Carr to set up Anelka for a shot which Campbell blocked brilliantly, and a minute later Bergkamp's sumptuous back-heel put Overmars through on goal only to see the winger push the ball too near Walker's waiting arms.

Spurs were looking disorientated and it was no surprise when Armstrong, back in his own half, produced a confused pass which put Overmars through on goal again. This time his shot was blocked by Walker.

Graham's sides are built of stern stuff, however, and gamely Spurs fought back. Steffen Freund was particularly angry not to be given a penalty after his run into the Arsenal area was ended by a challenge from Nigel Wintrburn, and Armstrong just failed to connect properly with Anderton's inviting cross. Suddenly Arsenal were wondering if they were going to rue all those missed chances until Kanu made sure at the last.

Tottenham: Walker, Carr, Campbell, Young, Taricco (Dominguez 77), Anderton, Freund, Sherwood, Ginola (Sinton 77), Iversen, Armstrong. Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Nilsen, Clemence. Booked: Young, Anderton. Goals: Anderton 43.

Arsenal: Seaman, Dixon, Keown, Adams, Winterburn, Parlour (Vivas 57), Petit, Vieira, Overmars (Grimandi 87), Bergkamp (Kanu 75), Anelka. Subs Not Used: Lukic, Diawara. Booked: Parlour, Petit, Dixon. Goals: Petit 17, Anelka 33, Kanu 85.

Referee: S Dunn (Bristol).