Arsenal staged a magnificent fightback to thrash Tottenham 5-2 in the north London derby on Sunday as Manchester United scrambled a last-gasp 2-1 win over Norwich.

Arsenal appeared to be hurtling towards a disastrous home defeat after an early Louis Saha strike and an Emmanuel Adebayor penalty fired Spurs into a 2-0 lead at the Emirates.

But two goals in three minutes from Bacary Sagna and captain Robin van Persie made it 2-2 before Arsenal cut loose in the second half with Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott, with a brace, completing a remarkable transformation.

At Carrow Road, Ryan Giggs – playing in his 900th game for United – struck in the 90th minute to clinch a precious victory for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side which saw them reduce Manchester City’s lead at the top to two points.

“I have to say we were lucky today, in the sense Norwich had more promise about them. I thought we were lethargic, too casual on the ball,” said Ferguson.

“Then when we lost the goal, we played brilliantly. That tells you something about the temperament, they do not get nervous and started to up their game, so that augurs well for us.”

Arsenal’s win eased the pressure on beleaguered Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, whose side were still reeling from a heavy Champions League defeat to AC Milan and a FA Cup exit at Sunderland.

The Gunners’ victory also denied Tottenham their first season double over Arsenal for 19 years, and moved Arsenal back into the Champions League qualification places ahead of Chelsea.

“It was a performance full of everything you want from your team,” said Wenger.

“It had team spirit, technique, resilience. It was an exciting game, we had a difficult start but kept going and showed great character again today.

“When you’re 2-0 down against a team in front of you with the quality they have, you need something exceptional. We refused to lose today, we kept going and in the end I think we had too much quality and drive.”

In Sunday’s other early kick-off, Manchester United closed the gap on City after Giggs scored to clinch a 2-1 win over Norwich.

Grant Holt had pounced for Norwich on 83 minutes to cancel out Paul Scholes’ seventh-minute opener at Carrow Road.

But Giggs stole in to save United at the death in a remarkable finale for Ferguson’s men.

In Sunday’s other Premier League game, Stoke defeated Swansea 2-0 at the Britannia Stadium.