Soccer: Baptista salvages draw for Arsenal

Julio Baptista

LONDON - Two goals from Julio Baptista gave Arsenal a 2-2 draw in their English League Cup soccer semifinal first leg at north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur today.

Tottenham had seemed headed for a healthy lead to take to the Emirates Stadium for next week's second leg when Baptista's clumsy own goal added to Dimitar Berbatov's headed opener to give the home side a deserved 2-0 halftime lead.

But the Brazilian redeemed himself after the break when Arsenal tore into their opponents. He shot low past Paul Robinson after 63 minutes and then converted a low cross from Justin Hoyte to level the tie with 15 minutes remaining.

Both sides had chances to win the match but it is Arsenal who are now favourites to meet Chelsea in the final in Cardiff on February 25.

- REUTERS