Tottenham vs Arsenal – The North London Derby
Tottenham beat their North London rivals 2-1 to move into fifth place, just two points behind Southampton in third. Victory at White Hart Lane on Saturday was Spurs’ third-straight win at home, where they are finally starting to find some form. Mesut Ozil gave the Gunners the lead early in the first half with a sublime left-footed volley.
Although the home side dominated the possession, they struggled to create too many clear cut chances in the first half and it looked as though their impressive run of six home games unbeaten was going come to an end. But Harry Kane score twice in the second half to give Mauricio Pochettino’s side their second home win over Arsenal in the last three seasons. Defeat also ended Arsenal’s impressive run of three-straight clean sheets as the Gunners moved below their rivals into sixth place.
Here are the major talking points from the game.
1. Kane to the rescue for Spurs
Mauricio Pochettino is someone who demands a 110 % from all of his players from the first minute to the last. Although there was some difference of opinion at the start, Harry Kane is the one player in the Spurs squad who is the embodiment of everything the Argentinean manager wants from his players. High-intensity, pressure from the front and a willingness to run into the ground for the sake of the team.
Not only can he do all of that, Kane can also finish. His two goals against the Gunners, although contrasting in nature, was a clear reminder of just good he is, in the box. The 21-year-old’s first goal showed the type of movement and quick reaction that is only found in world-class poachers and his second was an old-school header which involved plenty of technique and class. Spurs have long been searching for a finisher and have spent tons of money in the pursuit of a striker who is clinical. The irony for the North London club is that, after all of that searching, they might have finally stumbled upon what they needed, in their own backyard.