Review: Tottenham Hotspur 2 Arsenal 1
Our victory came to us last night (Sunday), and it was over our London rivals in our North London derby. Mourinho felt the victory in his first north London GAME as we came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 on Sunday.
Toby Alderweireld’s header claimed a vital three points for us for a Europa League push in our first encounter with our rivals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Alexandre Lacazette’s shot had given Arsenal an early lead. Still, their defensive frailties came back to haunt them as Sead Kolasinac’s error gifted Heung-Min Son the equaliser three minutes later.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rattled the post, but we found a way as we extended hour unbeaten Premier League home record against the Arsenal to 10 matches with another vintage tactical display. This victory lifts us above those red and white’s into eight in the table, while The Gunners drop to ninth, two points adrift of us, with three games remaining. Have we reached our turning point?
Tottenham: Lloris, Aurier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Davies, Sissoko, Winks, Lo Celso, Moura, Son, Kane.
Subs: Lamela, Bergwijn, Skipp.
Arsenal: Martinez, Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasinac, Bellerin, Xhaka, Ceballos, Tierney, Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang.
Subs: Saka, Cedric, Nelson, Willock.
Analysing
It took us 30 seconds to register a shot on goal, something we failed to do in 90 minutes against Bournemouth, as Moura’s shot forced a diving save from Emiliano Martinez.
The Arsenal goalkeeper was called into action on 12th minute, jumping high into the air to stop Harry Kane putting us ahead.
Team news
Son, Lucas Moura and Davison Sanchez were recalled. Mourinho made three changes from the draw with Bournemouth.
Nicolas Pepe replaced Bukayo Saka in Arsenal’s only change from the draw with Leicester.
Aubameyang failed a chance to hand Arsenal a lead when he swiped at thin air while attempting to convert Hector Bellerin’s centre. Still, Lacazette rammed a shot past Hugo Lloris into the top corner as the Gunners struck first.
Our response to the setback was rapid, but we were given a helping hand by a loose Sead Kolasinac pass that left David Luiz destitute and allowed Son to race in on goal and chipped a finish over Martinez.
This gave us confidence—Kane’s low shot before tipping a stunning Ben Davies drive from 25 yards onto the crossbar. Aubameyang shot a free-kick wide of goal, and Nicolas Pepe drew Lloris into a save as the opposition built momentum before the break. An impetus they carried into the second half as they dominated possession as we sat deep.
Shkodran Mustafi’s kick was saved by Lloris, but he could only watch as Aubameyang’s near-post drive rattled the angle of post and bar shortly before the hour.
Having kept us out for the duration of the second half, Arsenal almost gifted us the lead as Mustafi’s over-commitment while challenging Kane left the centre-back on the turf. Still, Martinez bailed him out with a smothering save at the feet of Son before he could convert Kane’s shot.
Aubameyang’s volley forced a touch from Lloris as Arsenal pushed for a late winner, but they were finally beaten with nine minutes remaining as Alderweireld rose high to head Son’s corner home to maintain our home record against the Gunners.
Stats: Mourinho haunts Arsenal again
José Mourinho has never lost a home game against the Gunners in his career, winning six and drawing four of his 10 matches to date. No side has he faced more often at home without ever losing (level with Everton and Man Utd).
We have gone unbeaten in six consecutive home league games against Arsenal for the first time since January 1968 (nine games) (W4 D2).
Mikel Arteta is the first Arsenal manager to lose his first north London derby in the Premier League since Bruce Rioch in November 1995.
Only West Ham (24) have dropped more points from winning positions in the Premier League this season than Arsenal (21).
Mourinho’s comments: “The game was more tactical than anything. I think Mikel [Arteta] found a way for them to play, to be stable and to improve – they are improving, and we felt that we should adapt slightly to them, and I think we did it very well. I think during the game nobody thought about it, even myself I didn’t, but Arsenal had 48 hours more than us to rest, so it was hard but come from their hearts this effort, this battle. Even in the last minutes of the game after 2-1, zero problems, everything under control so we are happy. We are happy because we made the fans happy, we are happy because we are still in the fight to win a Europa League position.”
Man of the Match – Son
Jose Mourinho couldn’t have asked for more from Son, and his role is the more comprehensive Spurs game plan proved crucial. Son was on his toes and alert to haul us level after Arsenal’s opener, taking his tally for the season to 13 – more than any of his team-mates. And in a game of tight margins, his corner was on the money as Alderweireld clinched victory late on and Son became the first Spurs player to score and assist in a Premier League north London derby since Emmanuel Adebayor in 2012.
I hope this is a start of us climbing back up the ladder. COYS!
My name is Glenn Renshaw.
I am currently a Premium Season Ticket holder (West Stand) in the new stadium. Before that – at White Hart Lane – a season ticket holder in various parts of the ground (mainly in the North stand).
Before becoming a season ticket holder, I stood on the shelf and various other parts of the ground since the 1960s (the season of the double). In 1987 I became one of the first to hold a Spurs Membership card. I was also a life long member of the Spurs supporters club (now defunct).
I go to all home, away and abroad matches.
I was born in 1955, Edgware, London. I currently live in Berkshire.
I also collect all Spurs books, Spurs handbooks, Spurs programmes etc.
Previously, I wrote for Spurs Fanzines: The Spur, Spur of the Moment, My Eyes have seen the Glory and various other Spurs fanzines’. I also wrote for the SpursWeb app & its website.
I currently write and work for spursnetwork.com and its website. I write its Reviews & Match reports and a lot more.
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