Michael Dawson delighted with Tottenham Hotspur win

Aaron Lennon of Spurs celebrates with his captain Michael Dawson after scoring his team's second goal (Getty Images)

Michael Dawson described Tottenham's win over north London rivals Arsenal as "massive" following their 2-1 win at White Hart Lane.

The win saw Tottenham jump above Chelsea into third and open up a seven-point gap between themselves and the Gunners.

Gareth Bale's 16th league goal of the season put Spurs one up after 38 minutes, before Aaron Lennon doubled their lead two minutes later.

Per Mertesacker's 51st-minute header, which took a huge deflection off Bale, brought Arsenal back into the game but Spurs held on, much to Dawson's delight.

"It's massive to go seven points clear, in a north London derby, to get three points is massive but we have a long way to go, but it is a good day," Dawson said on Sky Sports 1.

"We have a great squad and we showed that today.

"It probably wasn't our best performance. We didn't keep the ball like we know we can but showed great determination and we got the three points we deserved.

"We want to be back in the Champions League. I think we showed that in the celebrations after. The fans will go home happy and have the bragging rights at work tomorrow."

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas acknowledged the importance of the victory but knows it will mean little if his team fail to build on today's result.

"It was very very important for what it means, but obviously nothing is finished yet," the Portuguese said on Sky Sports 1.

"We have to believe that we still have to fight hard.

"Arsenal have to play Man City, we have to play Liverpool (next weekend).

"We to try to profit from another important fixture and keep doing our job.

"It is important we gather as many points as we can to finish where we want to be."

Arsenal finished strongly last season to pip Tottenham to third, with Chelsea's Champions League triumph ensuring the White Hart Lane outfit missed out on this season's competition.

"Last year, by this time, Arsenal made the difference of seven points to Tottenham and we know how it finished," Villas-Boas added.

"Motivations are now different. We are extremely confident. They are on a low at the moment.

"We have to continue to do our job."