Tottenham Hotspur 2-3 Arsenal - Gunners hold on to beat Spurs in derby to increase lead at top of the table
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Updated 28/04/2024 at 22:10 GMT
Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz were both on the scoresheet as Premier League leaders Arsenal beat arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 in the derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The result moved Arsenal four points clear of defending champions Manchester City. However, Pep Guardiola’s side clawed that deficit back to one point with a game in hand when they beat Nottingham Forest later on Sunday.
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrate after an own goal by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Tottenham Hotspur (not pictured), Arsenal's first goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC
Image credit: Getty Images
Bukayo Saka played a key role as leaders Arsenal gave their Premier League title hopes a major boost with a rollercoaster 3-2 win at Tottenham in the North London derby.
The England winger saw his right-wing corner turned into his own net by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg on 15 minutes before he doubled the away side’s lead just prior to the half hour mark with a slick finish from a lightning counter attack.
The Gunners then all-but sealed the points on 38 minutes when Kai Havertz nodded in from another well-worked corner routine.
Tottenham blew big chances through Cristian Romero and Heung-Min Son and saw a goal from Micky van de Ven chalked off for a marginal offside just moments after Arsenal’s opener.
Mikel Arteta’s side looked in control following the interval but goalkeeper David Raya’s howler of pass gifted the ball to Romero on 64 minutes and the Spurs defender coolly reduced the arrears.
Son Heung-Min then kept his cool to convert a penalty following a VAR intervention three minutes from time, but The Gunners held on to clinch an important victory.
The result saw Arsenal move four points clear of Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola’s side later beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 to cut the arrears to one point with a game in hand.
The defeat is a blow to Tottenham’s top four hopes as they remain in fifth spot, seven points adrift of Aston Villa but with two games in hand.
Next up, Arsenal will aim to keep up the title push when they host Bournemouth on Saturday. Spurs visit Chelsea on Thursday before heading to Liverpool on Sunday.
Talking Point – Arsenal hold on to pass significant test
This was earmarked as the fixture where Arsenal’s title push could stumble, but they produced a fine counter attacking display to keep the pressure firmly on reigning champions Man City.
The Gunners may have faltered in the final furlong last season, but there’s no sign of them slowing up now as they look to go one better this time around.
This wasn’t a vintage performance but their set-piece prowess coupled with some dogged defence as Spurs pushed late on, was enough to get them over the line.
Man City remain in the driving seat if they prevail in their remaining fixtures, but Arsenal will be confident of winning their final three (Bournemouth H, Man United A, Everton H) which would mean Pep Guardiola’s men could not afford any blip if they are to make history with a fourth straight Premier League title.
It's been a thrilling battle and it seems like this one is now going to go to the wire!
Player of the match
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal). An eye-catching and efficient display from the winger, particularly in the first half, as he chipped in with a goal and an assist. The 22-year-old now has 15 league goals for the season and also becomes the first English player to score home and away for Arsenal against Spurs in a league campaign since Ian Wright in 1993-94.
Player Ratings
TOTTENHAM: Vicario 5, Davies 6, van de Ven 8, Romero 8, Porro 6, Bentancur 6, Hojbjerg 5, Werner 5, Maddison 6, Kulusevski 7, Son 7. Subs: Johnson 7, Sarr 7, Bissouma 7, Richarlison 6, Lo Celso n/a.
ARSENAL: Raya 5, White 7, Saliba 7, Gabriel 7, Tomiyasu 7, Odegaard 8, Partey 7, Rice 7, Saka 8*, Havertz 8, Trossard 7. Subs: Martinelli 6, Kiwior n/a.
Match Highlights
16’ – GOAL! – Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal: (Hojbjerg own goal). The Gunners have the breakthrough as Højbjerg nods a right-wing corner past his own keeper at the near post.
20’ – TOTTENHAM CHANCE! Romero peels off at the back stick and slams his header against the post from Maddison's delicious left-wing free kick.
27’ – GOAL! – Tottenham 0-2 Arsenal: (Saka). Arsenal ruthlessly break from the penalty appeals and Saka cuts in from acres of space on the right to steer a low shot into the bottom corner.
38’ – GOAL! – Tottenham 0-3 Arsenal: (Havertz). The Gunners are in cruise control! Havertz leaps highest to nod home Rice's left-wing corner from close-in.
64’ – GOAL! – Tottenham 1-3 Arsenal: (Romero). It's a howler from Raya as he floats a pass straight at Romero, who chests the ball down before rolling a shot into the corner.
87’ – GOAL! – Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal: (Son). Son rifles his spot kick beyond Raya and Spurs are back in business. The referee was asked to go to the monitor after he initially waved away the appeals for Rice’s kick on Davies. It was a clear penalty and he didn’t take long to give it once he’d seen the replay.
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