Tottenham and Arsenal descended into chaos after a tough tackle from Jurrien Timber left Pedro Porro in agony.
As referee Jared Gillett blew up for a foul, both sets of players clashed on the pitch that nearly spilled into the stands.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Gary Neville said while commentating: "Porro is still down, writhing in agony. That's not going to be a red card I don't think. The rest of them are having a scrap!"
While Timber was booked for the initial challenge, Guglielmo Vicario was booked for his part in the melee to become the fifth player to receive a yellow card in the first 40 minutes of the north London derby.
Neither side had scored before the fracas broke out during a tense opening half but both teams have excellent chances to score.
Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli had a brilliant opportunity to break the deadlock when he raced clear of Porro earlier in the contest.
However, the Brazilian's effort was weak and easily saved by Vicario in the Tottenham net.
Spurs striker Dominic Solanke made a bright start to his first north London derby, giving William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes problems.
But David Raya has already made a couple of fine saves to deny Tottenham in their own stadium.
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During the melee, VAR had checked to see if Timber's challenge warranted a red card due to an over-the-top tackle but nothing was given and the yellow card remained.
Neville added: "Just listening to what is being said in Stockley Park. Timber touches the ball but he doesn't follow through over it which is what saved him from it being a red card.
"The foot goes on top of the ball but he hasn't followed through.
"There was one here last season - the Curtis Jones where he tried to put his foot on top of the ball but went over it - and that ended up being a red card."
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It's all kicking off in the North London derby 😳 pic.twitter.com/vyE1bTanar
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 15, 2024
The total of yellow cards totted up to seven before the end of the half with two Spurs players going into the book in quick succession.
Micky van de Ven was shown yellow after scything down Leandro Trossard before Dejan Kulusevski also booked for tugging back Jorginho.
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With Chelsea vs Bournemouth on Saturday night setting the record for most yellow cards in a Premier League match with 14, it might not be long before that record is broken.
Arsenal are in dire need of a victory to keep up with Manchester City in the title race with the champions making an electric start already.
Pep Guardiola's men have won four games out of four with Erling Haaland scoring nine already in the Premier League.
