Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal: Red-hot Kane sends Spurs into top four

Posted Sunday, February 08, 2015 by Talksport.co.uk

Tottenham's man of the moment Harry Kane was on hand once again to clinch a deserved win against Arsenal at White Hart Lane.

The Gunners' impressive win at Manchester City in January seemed to be the blueprint for a disciplined first half performance, but a relentless Spurs finished strongly to snatch a breathtaking north London derby.

Kane's predatory second-half strike cancelled out Mesut Ozil's early finish, before the 21-year-old's 22nd goal of the season ensured all three points for Mauricio Pochettino's side.

As a result, Spurs climb above their neighbours into fourth while Arsenal slip to sixth in the race for Champions League football next season.

Kane had 20 goals in all competitions prior to kick off and threatened to add to that tally on five minutes, collecting the ball in a menacing position on the left before sending a curling effort towards the bottom corner, but David Ospina was equal to the attempt with a strong left hand.

However, it was Arsenal who broke the deadlock against the run of play on ten minutes. Danny Welbeck countered with pace down the right, showing Danny Rose a clean pair of heels and, after a complete miscue from Olivier Giroud, the ball found its way to an unmarked Ozil, who produced an accomplished first-time finish beyond Hugo Lloris.

In response, Rose honed in with a drilled strike, but his effort was expertly parried by the Arsenal goalkeeper, and the 24-year-old nearly picked out Kyle Walker with another daisy-cutter across the Colombian only for the ball to run harmlessly out of play.

The hosts continued to probe and fashioned another opening on the half-hour mark when Walker's deflected cross trickled into the area towards an outstretched Erik Lamela, who was unable to hit the target.

Tottenham dictated play after the restart, with Kane and Christian Eriksen combining well, and it was the former who pulled Spurs level ten minutes into the second-half. Mousa Dembele rose highest to meet Eriksen's corner and Ospina was only able to slap the ball into the path of the 21-year-old, who calmly stroked the ball home.

Kane almost doubled his tally moments later, but was unable to adjust his feet in time to poke home a close range chance. At the other end, Welbeck forced the best out of Lloris with a sizzling effort before Laurent Koscielny sent a free header straight at the France international.

After an understandably subdued period, Arsenal ventured forward as Ozil's sublime cross was met by Giroud's glancing header, which flashed wide, before Lamela rushed a good chance inside the Gunners box to the dismay of the White Hart Lane supporters.

But, with England manager Roy Hodgson in attendance, Kane sent the home faithful into raptures five minutes from time. Eriksen, another star Spurs performer this season, supplied the club's top-scorer with a hanging delivery, which was converted with an expert header beyond the helpless Ospina.

Arsenal pushed for an equaliser late-on and substitute Tomas Rosicky tested Lloris with a swerving attempt, but Tottenham held on for a famous win.