Tottenham 2 Arsenal 1
Harry Kane inspired boyhood club Tottenham to victory over Arsenal in a wonderfully frantic and frenetic north London derby.
Arsene Wenger’s side made the short, four-mile journey to White Hart Lane looking to secure a sixth successive victory and dampen their bitter rivals’ hopes of a top-four finish. An early Mesut Özil volley put Arsenal on course for just that, only for Spurs to produce a thrilling, and deserved, comeback, with Kane’s second-half brace securing a 2-1 win.
The victory saw Spurs leapfrog the Gunners in the Premier League standings as they again displayed their growing resilience, like the unforgettable New Year's Day annihilation of Chelsea.
Just 11 minutes were on the clock when Arsenal made the breakthrough, with fine play by the returning Danny Welbeck ending in a cross flicked into the path of Özil to volley home.
It took 15 efforts of differing quality for the Spurs pressure to finally tell, with Kane the man to do the damage, directing home at the far post after an Erik Lamela corner caused havoc.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men were bossing possession and, just as it appeared the match was heading for a draw, Kane wonderfully headed home at the far post to send the home fans into raptures, securing a memorable win.
“That feeling is one I definitely won’t forget for the rest of my career,” said kane afterwards. “My first north London derby, to win the way we did, it’s incredible. I probably won’t sleep tonight.”
Kane’s rise this season has been meteoric, but the 21-year-old insists he is having no problem keeping his feet on the ground.
“I enjoy my football,” he said. “Just play with a smile on your face, do the best you can, work as hard as you can for the team. It’s been working well for us as a team, an incredible bunch of lads, the spirit’s high.
“I just want to be out on that pitch, playing with my mates. We are playing very well, we just want the next game to come.”
Kane’s team-mate Ryan Mason hailed the Tottenham fans, saying: “I don’t think there will be many better atmospheres around the world than what it was today.”
