Emmanuel Adebayor went from hero to zero for Tottenham, being shown a red card just seven minutes after giving Spurs the lead in today's North London derby against Arsenal.

Emmanuel Adebayor celebrates scoring the first goal for Spurs on November 17, 2012 © PA Photos

Former Arsenal defender William Gallas thought he had given the visitors the lead against his ex-employers after eight minutes, but the effort was ruled offside by the assistant referee.

Three minutes later, Jermaine Defoe had a shot saved by Wojciech Szczesny, but Adebayor was there to pick up the rebound, slotting the ball into the Arsenal goal.

However, the ex-Gunner went in high and studs up on Santi Cazorla in the 17th minute.

Howard Webb, in charge of the North London derby for the first time, had little choice but to show Adebayor a straight red.

Emmanuel Adebayor is shown red by referee Howard Webb on November 17, 2012 © PA Photos

The sending-off put Spurs, who had looked the stronger of the two sides, on the back foot.

It took Arsenal just six minutes to find an equaliser against 10-man Tottenham, Per Mertesacker heading in his first goal for the hosts.

Per Mertesacker celebrates scoring Arsenal's first on November 17, 2012 © PA Photos

Arsenal continued to look the more likely to score throughout the remainder of the first half, calling Hugo Lloris into action on several occasions.

It looked like Lloris would keep Tottenham level at half-time, but Lukas Podolski beat the France keeper in the 41st minute to give the home side the lead.

Olivier Giroud added a third just before the half-time whistle to leave Spurs with a mountain to climb in the second half.