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Attendance: 31,811
Spurs logo
Premier League
Apr 30, 2017 at 4.30pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

2-0

Alli (55'), Kane (58' pen.)
FT(HT: 0-0)

Live Commentary: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Arsenal - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of Tottenham Hotspur's 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the North London derby.
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Tottenham Hotspur have remained in the Premier League title race with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the North London derby.

Spurs dominated for large periods but they claimed their triumph with two goals in the space of three second-half minutes from Dele Alli and Harry Kane.

Arsenal had their moments, but they were below-par against their fierce rivals and more questions will be asked about whether manager Arsene Wenger can justify remaining at the club.

Read below to see how the action unfolded at White Hart Lane.


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Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the North London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

Whenever these two clubs lock horns, it is usually described as "the biggest North London derby for some time", but in this case, it really is. Not only do Spurs need three points to realistically remain in the Premier League title race, Arsenal need victory in order to boost their chances of maintaining their prolonged streak of achieving a place in the top four of the table. Not only that, Spurs can end a 22-year wait to finish above Arsenal in the table with a win in front of their home supporters. It is all set up to be a cracking game.

LATEST! Spurs had been hoping for a favour from Everton this afternoon but as it stands, they are not going to receive one. Pedro has just scored a wonder-strike for Chelsea and it will currently be enough to take the Blues seven points clear before kickoff at White Hart Lane. You can catch the remaining minutes of that match by clicking here.

Anyway, I am assuming that you wish to read about the team news. Don't worry, that is coming right up...

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Wanyama; Son, Eriksen, Dele; Kane

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Vorm, Walker, Wimmer, Dembele, Sissoko, Nkoudou, Janssen

ARSENAL XI: Cech; Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Xhaka, Gibbs; Ozil, Giroud, Sanchez

ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Ospina, Holding, Bellerin, Coquelin, Iwobi, Walcott, Welbeck

Let's start off with the home side as Pochettino selects the team which was pretty much expected. Kyle Walker and Mousa Dembele are big names to have on the bench, but Kieran Trippier has been increasingly active in recent weeks and Dembele picked up a knock in the week. Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli, Son Heung-min and Harry Kane all feature in attack.

As for Arsenal, Wenger is able to call upon Laurent Koscielny, who had emerged as an injury doubt after sustaining an injury during the midweek win over Leicester City. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also able to return to the side after an ankle problem, while Olivier Giroud gets the nod over both Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck up front.

HEAD TO HEAD! Today's fixture represents the 193rd time in which these two teams have faced each other in a competitive match, with Spurs winning 61 times in comparison to 80 victories for Arsenal. Despite their improvement under Pochettino in recent years, Spurs have only won one of the last nine encounters, while Arsenal are undefeated in the last four. Four of the last six contests have ended in draws, which would suit neither team this afternoon.

Time to bring you two results which have ramifications for both teams...

RESULT! Chelsea are going to take some stopping now. Three second-half goals have earned them a terrific win away at Everton. No team has done that at Goodison Park this season. It means that Antonio Conte's team are now seven points clear of second-place Spurs. Click here for the full on-the-whistle report from that game.

RESULT! It is better news for Arsenal, who will now be aware that Middlesbrough have held Manchester City to a 2-2 draw. Boro were twice ahead at the Riverside Stadium, too. Nevertheless, Arsenal can now move level on points with City should they win their two matches in hand. It won't be easy but the Gunners changing room must be bouncing with City and United behind held by two teams in the relegation zone. Click here to read our report from the North-East.

Can you remember the last time that Spurs failed to win at home in the Premier League? You probably can't, because they have won eight successive matches at White Hart Lane. You have to go back to their 1-1 draw with Leicester City at the end of October for the last time they did not record maximum points at their home ground. Click here to have a read about that match.

We all know what many of the big-hitters can offer in this match so let's take a look at Olivier Giroud instead. Of course, he has all of the attributes to be a game-changer but he hasn't enjoyed the last few months. Since the start of February, he has only scored meaningless goals against Chelsea, Lincoln City and West Ham United. He needs to do something to reassure Wenger that he can still be a big player for the Gunners ahead of the summer.

PREDICTION! Spurs are the favourites for this game and rightly so, but we should remember that Arsenal head into this game having recorded three wins in a row, all by one-goal margins. There have been doubts about the mindset of the Arsenal squad but they are proving that they can still have an impact at this stage of the season and we are backing them to earn a draw this afternoon. We are going for a 1-1 scoreline.

We are just minutes away from the two teams heading out onto the pitch at White Hart Lane. There is a great deal of expectation and anticipation ahead of this match. That probably won't lead to either team's best performance but at this stage, it is all about points on the board.

Loud shots of "come on, you Spurs" from the home faithful as they watch their team and arch rivals walk out. We are just moments away from the start of the fourth and final match of this bumper afternoon of Premier League action.

Spurs get us underway at White Hart Lane.

SHOT! Kane needs less than a minute to force Cech into a decent save down to his left. The angle was against him but there is no doubt that his strike from 10 yards was finding the bottom corner had the goalkeeper not intervened.

It is Spurs with all the early possession in this one but when Arsenal do have the ball, they are looking to go from A to B much faster than usual.

CHANCE! This a chance for Alderweireld, although a tough one at that. Eriksen's corner found the Belgian at the near post but he could only glance his header over the crossbar.

Spurs haven't been totally dominant during these opening 10 minutes but they haven't been far off. So far, Arsenal's 3-4-2-1 formation isn't troubling them whatsoever.

This is a big interception from Lloris. Spurs gifted Arsenal the ball as they overplayed in their own final third and the visitors almost took full advantage through Gibbs, but Lloris, crucially, got a hand to the ball before the left wing-back could take the ball around him.

That near miss for Spurs has led to any complacency disappearing. They have quietened things down and are more intent on keeping hold of the ball rather than bringing their forward players into play.

Not a lot more to add on this one. Arsenal are slowly but surely getting to grips with the pace of the game but they have offered little in the final third, aside from when they were gifted a chance by their opponents. We are yet to see anything from Ozil or Sanchez.

CHANCE! How has Alli missed this?! He is under pressure from Oxlade-Chamberlain but by his own standards, it is a sitter. Kane's deflected cross found his teammate at the back post but from three yards out, he headed wide.

CHANCE! This is not a sitter, but it is a big, big chance. Son nutmegs Oxlade-Chamberlain on the touchline before seeing his shot deflected into the path of Eriksen. The Dane takes it on the volley from six yards out but it clips the top of the crossbar and goes over.

We are not through a third of this match but Spurs look a class above Arsenal so far. There has definitely been a power shift in North London. However, will Spurs be made to rue those two huge opportunities?

It looks like Arsenal may be forced into an early change. Xhaka is currently on the floor and looks resigned to the fact that he may have to come off.

Xhaka is back on but he is running with a limp. Looks like he will be given a chance to run the knock off.

More patient build-up from the home side who are toying with Arsenal to a certain extent. The visitors just aren't in the game and are fortunate to be on level terms. Remember, a draw isn't necessarily a good result for the Gunners.

SHOT! Out of nowhere, Arsenal almost take the lead through Ramsey, whose curling effort towards the far corner is parried behind for a corner by Lloris. Ramsey thought that was heading in.

Ozil comes in for his fair share of criticism for his work-rate and I can see why. He has just let Wanyama run from centre midfield to receive a pass inside the penalty area but fortunately for the German playmaker, the Spurs player can only slice his shot, or cross, behind for a goal kick.

SHOT! As we approach half time, Arsenal are starting to come more and more into this match. Sanchez has just curled the ball marginally wide of the far post from an acute angle. Pochettino has reason to be concerned because Spurs haven't capitalised on their earlier dominance.

There will be three minutes of added-on time.

SHOT! Vertonghen hasn't got the strongest right foot but he almost finds the bottom corner with a shot from 20 yards. I think Cech had it covered from the moment it left his boot but it was a very respectable attempt.

HALF TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Arsenal

The half-time whistle goes at White Hart Lane and we remain goalless, despite a relatively entertaining 45 minutes of football. There is no doubting that Spurs should be ahead, but Arsenal deserve credit for hanging in there. Both teams need a win, but will be get a victor?

Arsenal get us back underway.

SAVE! It has been a bright start to the second half from both teams but it is Spurs who nearly take the lead. The ball fell invitingly to Wanyama on the edge of the penalty area but his goalbound strike was tipped over by Cech.

CHANCE! From the resulting corner, Arsenal are half-asleep and Eriksen's quick corner finds Son, who swipes the ball into the side-netting from around 12 yards out.

SHOT! Kane should probably pass to Alli but instead, he shoots on goal from 25 yards with his left foot, which is straight at Cech.

SHOT! Now it is Arsenal's turn to threaten a goal. From a corner, the ball falls to Giroud to get a volley on goal but he sends his attempt high over the crossbar.

GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Arsenal (Alli)

PENALTY TO TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR!

GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Arsenal (Kane)

Just like that, it is 2-0 to Spurs! Where do I start...

First of all, Alli and Eriksen combine for the Dane to see a shot saved by Cech. However, the ball falls to Alli who converts the rebound from eight yards, with Oxlade-Chamberlain making a very half-hearted attempt to keep it out.

Moments later, Kane was fell by Gabriel in the penalty area and it is a stone-waller. Kane got up and produced almost the perfect penalty into the bottom corner. Cech didn't dive but he had no chance.


In all fairness, Arsenal have responded well since going behind but you have to wonder whether the damage has already been done. If Spurs get a third, it is definitely over. Spurs are closing in on ensuring that they finish above Arsenal in the Premier League table for the first time since 1995.

SHOT! Arsenal could do with something special from Sanchez but his left-footed strike on this occasion is too close to Lloris.

SUBSTITUTION! Wenger makes his first change and it is a positive one. Danny Welbeck has been introduced for Xhaka.

SHOT! It is one-way traffic again. Vertonghen nearly scores a bonafide screamer from just over 20 yards out, but Cech tips the ball over the crossbar.

Spurs should have been awarded a second penalty. Son attempts to take the ball past Sanchez, who sticks his hands up, but bizarrely, neither referee or assistant give the spot kick. From the resulting corner, Kane glanced a header into the side-netting.

BOOKING! Gabriel goes into the book for a late challenge on Alli. Easy decision for the referee.

BOOKING! Kane now goes into the book after jumping too aggressively with Gabriel. Never a booking.

BOOKING! Now Giroud does something similar and is also booked. Again, for me, never a booking.

SUBSTITUTION! A second alteration for Arsenal and Hector Bellerin has been introduced for Gabriel.

BOOKING! Arsenal are starting to lose their discipline. Monreal goes in late on Kane and is deservedly booked.

SAVES! Cech has been superb for Arsenal this afternoon. Moments after getting in the way of a Kane effort, he has just pulled off a worldie to prevent Alderweireld's header from finding the top corner.

SUBSTITUTION! It is time for Pochettino to make his first alteration with Mousa Dembele replacing Son.

SUBSTITUTION! Third and final alteration for Arsenal as Theo Walcott replaces Giroud.

CHANCE! Big chance for Walcott who gets a first-time shot on goal but it lacks power and is too close to Lloris. Arsenal are still pressing but they need something extraordinary now.

SUBSTITUTION! A second switch from Pochettino sees Trippier replaced by Kyle Walker.

There will be four minutes of added-on time.

SUBSTITUTION! Pochettino takes the chance to give Alli a rest for the final few minutes, with Moussa Sissoko coming on in his place.

FULL TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Arsenal

The full-time whistle goes at White Hart Lane and Spurs have registered a largely dominant 2-0 win over Arsenal. Pochettino's side were impressive today and it confirmed the power shift which has occurred in North London. Arsenal's run of three successive wins has come to and end, and more doubts will be placed upon Wenger's future at the club after a poor performance from his team.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye for now.

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Arsene Wenger and Mauricio Pochettino shake hands prior to the Premier League game between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal on March 5, 2016
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20Southampton1512121131-205


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