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Tottenham 3-0 Arsenal: Harry Kane and Son Heung-min score as Spurs close in on top four

By Phil McNultyChief football writer at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments2439

Harry Kane heads in Tottenham's second against Arsenal
Harry Kane is the all-time top scorer in games between Tottenham and Arsenal with 13 goals

Tottenham turned up the pressure on arch-rivals Arsenal in the race for a place in next season's Champions League with an emphatic north London derby victory.

Arsenal could have confirmed a place in the Premier League's top four with a win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but endured a dismal night to now stand only one point clear of Spurs with two games left.

In a feverish atmosphere, Harry Kane gave Spurs the lead from the spot in the 22nd minute after Son Heung-min was fouled by Cedric Soares, then added a second before the break with a stooping far-post header after Rodrigo Bentancur flicked on a corner.

In between, Arsenal had been reduced to 10 men when Rob Holding was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Son, while the South Korean finished off any hopes the Gunners had when he fired in from 10 yards two minutes after half-time.

Spurs on the march

Tottenham 3-0 Arsenal: Antonio Conte 'very happy' as Spurs 'continue to stay in the race'

Such was the manner of this Spurs win - added to the momentum they are gathering under manager Antonio Conte - they must have increasing belief they can yet snatch a top-four place away from Arsenal.

Conte's team look so impressive, organised and solid in defence with the deadly pair of Kane and Son a permanent menace in attack.

Spurs have two eminently winnable fixtures remaining at home to struggling Burnley and at relegated Norwich City while Arsenal must travel to Newcastle United - no easy task these days - before a final home fixture against Everton, who may yet be fighting for survival.

Conte has brought the best out of this Spurs side by implementing his trademark fierce tactical discipline while still getting the most from those two outstanding forwards, who have been augmented by impressive January signing Dejan Kulusevski.

As Spurs flourished and Arsenal wilted, it made for a celebratory atmosphere among a record crowd of 62,027 inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs are still the hunters but they have a real chance of making the top four to round off some fine work by Conte, who took over an out-of-sorts side in eighth place when he succeeded sacked Nuno Espirito Santo in November.

Remaining fixtures
ArsenalTottenham
Monday, 16 May: Away v NewcastleSunday, 15 May: Home v Burnley
Sunday, 22 May: Home v EvertonSunday, 22 May: Away v Norwich

Arsenal must respond

Tottenham 3-0 Arsenal: I cannot give my opinion because I would be suspended, says Arteta

This was a night of unrelenting misery for Arsenal in an environment where their struggles are relished more than any other.

Mikel Arteta's side were never given the chance to settle and once Kane put Spurs ahead it was all downhill, with Holding's needless sending-off making an already difficult task impossible.

The late hamstring injury to key defender Gabriel only added to their suffering but the positive for Arteta and his players is that their destiny remains firmly in their own hands. If Arsenal win their next two games they will be in next season's Champions League.

The more difficult aspect is that, given Spurs' fixtures, the likelihood is that they may well have to win at Newcastle United on Monday to keep their ambitions on track.

Arsenal are so close and looked to be in pole position just a few weeks ago, so to miss out now would be a huge disappointment, especially as they have not had any European football to distract them from the job of finishing in the top four.

Arteta must ensure his players put this experience behind them but there is no doubt this defeat has put Arsenal under serious pressure befofe their visit to Tyneside, where manager Eddie Howe will want to round off Newcastle's season at St James' Park in style after moving them clear of relegation trouble with plenty to spare.

Player of the match

Son Heung-minSon Heung-min

with an average of 8.22

Tottenham Hotspur

  1. Squad number7Player nameSon Heung-min
    Average rating

    8.22

  2. Squad number15Player nameDier
    Average rating

    7.80

  3. Squad number10Player nameKane
    Average rating

    7.70

  4. Squad number6Player nameD Sánchez
    Average rating

    7.62

  5. Squad number21Player nameKulusevski
    Average rating

    7.36

  6. Squad number33Player nameDavies
    Average rating

    7.17

  7. Squad number19Player nameRyan Sessegnon
    Average rating

    6.96

  8. Squad number1Player nameLloris
    Average rating

    6.92

  9. Squad number30Player nameBentancur
    Average rating

    6.88

  10. Squad number27Player nameLucas Moura
    Average rating

    6.74

  11. Squad number14Player nameRodon
    Average rating

    6.67

  12. Squad number23Player nameBergwijn
    Average rating

    6.49

  13. Squad number12Player nameEmerson Royal
    Average rating

    5.41

  14. Squad number5Player nameHøjbjerg
    Average rating

    4.22

Arsenal

  1. Squad number32Player nameRamsdale
    Average rating

    4.99

  2. Squad number35Player nameGabriel Martinelli
    Average rating

    4.74

  3. Squad number8Player nameØdegaard
    Average rating

    4.63

  4. Squad number18Player nameTomiyasu
    Average rating

    4.62

  5. Squad number7Player nameSaka
    Average rating

    4.55

  6. Squad number30Player nameNketiah
    Average rating

    4.40

  7. Squad number25Player nameMohamed Elneny
    Average rating

    4.35

  8. Squad number6Player nameGabriel Magalhães
    Average rating

    4.17

  9. Squad number34Player nameXhaka
    Average rating

    4.01

  10. Squad number17Player nameCédric Soares
    Average rating

    3.73

  11. Squad number10Player nameSmith Rowe
    Average rating

    3.70

  12. Squad number20Player nameNuno Tavares
    Average rating

    3.47

  13. Squad number9Player nameLacazette
    Average rating

    3.36

  14. Squad number16Player nameHolding
    Average rating

    2.94

Line-ups

Tottenham

Formation 3-4-2-1

  • 1Lloris
  • 6D Sánchez
  • 15Dier
  • 33DaviesBooked at 17minsSubstituted forRodonat 82'minutes
  • 12Emerson Royal
  • 30Bentancur
  • 5Højbjerg
  • 19R Sessegnon
  • 21KulusevskiSubstituted forLucas Mouraat 72'minutes
  • 7Son Heung-minSubstituted forBergwijnat 72'minutes
  • 10Kane

Substitutes

  • 8Winks
  • 14Rodon
  • 22Gollini
  • 23Bergwijn
  • 27Lucas Moura
  • 42White
  • 44Scarlett
  • 45Devine
  • 51Craig

Arsenal

Formation 4-3-3

  • 32Ramsdale
  • 17Cédric Soares
  • 16HoldingBooked at 33mins
  • 6GabrielSubstituted forTavaresat 76'minutes
  • 18Tomiyasu
  • 8ØdegaardBooked at 88mins
  • 25Elneny
  • 34XhakaBooked at 90mins
  • 7Saka
  • 30NketiahSubstituted forLacazetteat 72'minutes
  • 35MartinelliSubstituted forSmith Roweat 63'minutesBooked at 86mins

Substitutes

  • 1Leno
  • 4White
  • 9Lacazette
  • 10Smith Rowe
  • 19Pépé
  • 20Tavares
  • 23Sambi Lokonga
  • 69Swanson
  • 87Patino
Referee:
Paul Tierney
Attendance:
62,027

Match Stats

Home TeamTottenhamAway TeamArsenal
Possession
Home58%
Away42%
Shots
Home16
Away9
Shots on Target
Home6
Away5
Corners
Home2
Away2
Fouls
Home8
Away15

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Tottenham Hotspur 3, Arsenal 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Tottenham Hotspur 3, Arsenal 0.

  3. Post update

    Emerson Royal (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Nuno Tavares (Arsenal).

  5. Booking

    Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card.

  6. Post update

    Lucas Moura (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  7. Post update

    Foul by Nuno Tavares (Arsenal).

  8. Booking

    Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  9. Post update

    Lucas Moura (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  10. Post update

    Foul by Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal).

  11. Booking

    Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  12. Post update

    Lucas Moura (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  13. Post update

    Foul by Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal).

  14. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.

  15. Post update

    Foul by Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur).

  16. Post update

    Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  17. Post update

    Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  18. Post update

    Foul by Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal).

  19. Substitution

    Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Joe Rodon replaces Ben Davies.

  20. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Ryan Sessegnon (Tottenham Hotspur) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Emerson Royal with a cross.

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Comments

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2439 comments

  • Comment posted by The Chosen One, at 21:38 12 May 2022

    Arteta is very unhappy. He feels the game should have been postponed because one of his youth team players knows someone who thinks he might have covid.
    Well, it worked last time.

    • Reply posted by MkOxford1, at 21:44 12 May 2022

      MkOxford1 replied:
      Super, but probably true too

  • Comment posted by Archie Pooch, at 21:41 12 May 2022

    Holding tried to kick Son out of the game. So pleased he got what he deserved.

    • Reply posted by Jerome, at 21:49 12 May 2022

      Jerome replied:
      Son showed how to be clever against a simple man... Paul Tierney.
      Kidding. I like Son, quality player and very intelligent.

  • Comment posted by GimliTheDwarf, at 21:37 12 May 2022

    Yeah, no complaints here. Absolutely idiotic from Holding. Couldn't hold back his ego.

    • Reply posted by Humble Chelsea Fan, at 21:39 12 May 2022

      Humble Chelsea Fan replied:
      People are overreacting to this loss. When Arteta was hired, everyone with a brain knew he had to rebuild the club from the ground up.

      Everyone knew it would take 5-10 years to take us back to the Top 4. Arteta is challenging in less than 3. He's ahead of schedule.

  • Comment posted by it aint the heat its the humility, at 21:38 12 May 2022

    Just deserts for Arsenal who blagged their way out of playing this fixture at the original date in December. Tottenham should've been awarded a 3-0 victory then. But, patience is a virtue and winning by that scoreline is even more sweet. Well played Tottenham.

    • Reply posted by Mr and Mrs Banks, at 21:46 12 May 2022

      Mr and Mrs Banks replied:
      Because Tottenham didn’t postpone any games due to Covid…..

  • Comment posted by The Iron Duke, at 21:37 12 May 2022

    If you are an Arsenal fan coming on HYS tonight to complain it wasn’t a penalty and wasn’t a sending off spare yourself the public ridicule. It was absolutely a sending off and penalty. Arsenal were totally outplayed and Arteta was comprehensively outcoached by Conte.

    • Reply posted by Name, at 21:40 12 May 2022

      Name replied:
      How come Arsenal are above Tiny Totts then? 🤔

  • Comment posted by bagseye, at 21:38 12 May 2022

    What on earth was Holding playing at?

    Yes, give them a few digs but once the ref has spotted it, then it’s time to stop.

    Idiot.

    • Reply posted by Name, at 21:57 12 May 2022

      Name replied:
      Hey, you've got to let Tottenham have something to cheer about. He probably felt sorry for them, poor trophy-less spuds ☹️

  • Comment posted by Fan Of Whoever Plays Man Utd, at 21:37 12 May 2022

    Arsenal go from potentially being a point behind Chelsea and having a CL place almost sewn up to now having Spurs a point behind them and a CL place looking very, very shaky.

    Spurs has a easy home game against Burnley, then an even easier away game at Norwich
    Arsenal has a tricky away game at Newcastle and then a tricky home game against Everton

    Arsenal fans you should be very worried right now.

    • Reply posted by ProSportsCoach, at 21:39 12 May 2022

      ProSportsCoach replied:
      Let’s hope so 👍

  • Comment posted by Devonboy, at 22:05 12 May 2022

    Embarrassing interview by Arteta,

    • Reply posted by Badman, at 22:07 12 May 2022

      Badman replied:
      Poor looser

  • Comment posted by ABS, at 21:37 12 May 2022

    After seeing that match I think most would agree that a champions league spot would be totally wasted on Arsenal so I do hope Spurs can now finish in 4th , very well played tonight Tottenham.

    • Reply posted by Name, at 21:45 12 May 2022

      Name replied:
      Yeah because spurs win trophies all the time, they'd be in for a shout to sin the CL 🤔

  • Comment posted by The Iron Duke, at 22:02 12 May 2022

    Arteta as much of a deluded excuse making child as the Woolwich fans on here tonight. ZERO accountability from the manager of Arsenal tonight, conducting his interview like a 3 year old who has had his toys taken away. Absolutely pathetic from a so called professional manager.

    • Reply posted by SLB, at 22:43 12 May 2022

      SLB replied:
      He certainly didn't cover himself in glory, could have been a bit more gracious for sure

  • Comment posted by Waseem Sarwar, at 21:41 12 May 2022

    As a United fan, I can totally relate to this Arsenal performance. Holding was trying to kick Son out of the game but his own manager should have seen after his last warning and just made the substitution.

    • Reply posted by Paul Sutton , at 21:44 12 May 2022

      Paul Sutton replied:
      Holding is an adult who is paid a vast salary to make sensible decisions in game time. He failed badly, a manager can only do so much

  • Comment posted by chanasnakepit, at 21:38 12 May 2022

    Could see a holding red card early on tbh. Arteta should have subbed him. Was a penalty. Ref got a good angle. Good from spurs. Expected arsenal to be better…yes even with 10 men.

    • Reply posted by The Spin Doctor, at 21:43 12 May 2022

      The Spin Doctor replied:
      When Arsenal needed to perform, they flopped.

  • Comment posted by Jose Tubb, at 22:04 12 May 2022

    Sour grapes from Arteta. The guy can’t deal with reality. Interview on sky was disgraceful. Bad attitude.

  • Comment posted by ABU Hamster, at 21:37 12 May 2022

    Chicken on a Ball 3 - 0 Chickens

    Arsenal can have absolutely zero complaints. Didn't like the decisions? Should have played the game earlier in the season then. Running away from playing a game because of one Covid case, what a joke.

    • Reply posted by Let them eat Sirloin, at 21:48 12 May 2022

      Let them eat Sirloin replied:
      Who are you again?

  • Comment posted by Shoz, at 21:39 12 May 2022

    Great atmosphere!

    Spurs far better than Arsenal tonight.
    Great season, what with the race for the title and the battle for 4th.

    • Reply posted by Hello, at 21:49 12 May 2022

      Hello replied:
      Arsenal are rubbish and have been for ages.

  • Comment posted by Sureditch, at 21:38 12 May 2022

    Four yellows and a red for Arsenal, three goals for Spurs. Tells you all you need to know.

    • Reply posted by m0le, at 21:48 12 May 2022

      m0le replied:
      Tells you there was a red card early in the game. That is what it tells you

  • Comment posted by Candy Kanes, at 21:38 12 May 2022

    What a performance. Every player put in a top shift. It couldn’t have gone any better. Sets up an awesome finale to the season. We HAVE to do the business against Burnley, plus, I never realised until now that I’m also a Newcastle fan 🤣

    COYS!!

    • Reply posted by Mr and Mrs Banks, at 21:47 12 May 2022

      Mr and Mrs Banks replied:
      But what I don’t get is that Spurs put in a shift defending… When Mourinho was in charge it was bad, when Conte puts 10 men behind the ball, at home, against your biggest rivals, he’s a tactical genius?

  • Comment posted by Navers, at 21:40 12 May 2022

    The game was over as soon as Holding got sent off. What is it with players and losing their heads recently? Definitely advantage Spurs at this rate with the fixtures they have left.