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Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Arsenal

  • Dele Alli gave Spurs the lead with a smart finish after great work by Eriksen.
  • Harry Kane doubled his side's advantage from the spot after Gabirel fouled him in the area.
  • Arsenal had a couple of openings but cannot complain with the nature of the result
  • Tottenham: Lloris (C), Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Wanyama, Son, Eriksen, Dele, Kane.
  • Arsenal: Cech, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Xhaka, Gibbs, Ozil, Sanchez, Giroud.
Tottenham vs Arsenal
Reuters

Full-time: Tottenham 2-0 Arsenal

Pochettino makes a final change, replacing Alli with Sissoko.

Pochettino makes a conventional change with Walker replacing Trippier for the last few moments.

Ramsey jinks inside and feeds Walcott, but his effort is tame and grasped easily by Lloris. Arsenal heading for their fifth away defeat in six games, and it's rather deserved.

Dembele's first real involvement is to foul the rather ineffective Welbeck. Ramsey tries to set the forward away but his ball is cut out supremely well by Lloris.

Changes for both teams as Son is replaced by Dembele. Walcott enters the fray, too, with Giroud the one to make way.

Wanyama drives forward and does well to find Kane but the forward is stifled by Cech. The Czech is then on hand to make a superb stop from Alderweireld from a corner. If not for him, Spurs could be out of sight.

Wenger makes his second change as Hector Bellerin replaces the penalty-conceding Gabriel.

A bit of the inevitable handbags now. Alderweireld and Welbeck square up after the latter pokes an effort at goal. He seemed to kick Lloris in frustration, much to the Belgian's chagrin.

Giroud is the next to be booked after clamouring viciously on Trippier. Frustration boiling over for the ailing Gunners.

Gabriel picks up a yellow card after scything down Alli, but Wanyama escapes punishment for a rake down Sanchez's Achilles.

Kane seeks retribution on the Brazilian and catches him with an elbow as they contest an aerial duel. The scourge of Arsenal picks up a booking, but he won't care a bit.

Alderweireld comes close to making it 3-0 but his header at the far post is blocked well by Gibbs. His centre-back partner Vertonghen then tests Cech with a fine left-footed effort, which he can only palm away.

Welbeck replaces Xhaka has Wenger seeks to respond instantly. His first involvement is to give away a foul for a tug on Davies. 25 minutes left to play.

Xhaka picks out Sanchez expertly. The Chilean chests the ball down and eventually forces Lloris into a save. Still 2-0, Wenger set to throw on Welbeck.

Arsenal try to respond and pounce on a Dier error but Giroud doesn't trouble Lloris. The Gunners are fighting back, winning a corner off Trippier.

Talk about quickfire!

A simply marvellous penalty from Kane, who tucks the ball expertly inside the post. Cech was helpess.

GOAL! Tottenham 2-0 Arsenal (Kane)

Gabriel kicks Kane's shin and gives away a penalty mindlessly. The England international to take.

PENALTY TO TOTTENHAM!

Alli charges though the Arsenal and finds Eriksen, who dances through a number of challenges and shoots at Cech. The Czech blocks, but only into the path of Alli, who stretches to knock in the opener.

GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Arsenal (Alli)

Kane pounces on a Gabriel error and forces Cech into making another save. Arsenal hit back through the Ox, who forces a corner, but Giroud's volley does not test his compatriot Lloris.

Superb work from Ozil and Sanchez almost carves out an opening, but Tottenham snuff out the danger.

At the other end Kane embarks on a footrace with Monreal, but the Spaniard wins out.

Wanyama forces a fine save from Cech after some excellent work from Son. Eriksen takes the resulting corner and Davies finds the South Korean, but his effort only ripples the side netting.

Olivier Giroud gets the game back under way at White Hart Lane.

Mousa Dembele was put through his paces during half-time. Will Pochettino see fit to introduce him for the second half?

Half-time: Tottenham 0-0 Arsenal

An intriguing battle at the Lane, but it remains all square. Tottenham started much brighter and should have gone in front, with Alli and Eriksen guilty of missing golden opportunities, but Arsenal finished the half the stronger and are more than bringing the fight to their close rivals.

It's finely poised for the second half, but it remains 0-0.

Tottenham vs Arsenal
Reuters

Arsenal certainly ending the half the stronger. Sanchez finds space in the area but his shot was blocked and, luckily for Spurs, nobody in red was baring down on the ball.

Tottenham earn respite as Ramsey's shanked clearance goes for a corner, and Vertonghen does well to sting Cech's palms with his weaker foot.

Sanchez goes for glory and almost achieves it as he bends an audacious effort towards the bottom corner. The ball just whistles past Lloris' post, but the Frenchman was beaten.

Excellent effort from the Chilean.

Possession is exchanged between both sides with a few careless errors committed. In the end Arsenal take the initiative, with Lloris having to save well from Ramsey.

The Gunners come again through Gibbs, who turns excellently but fires well over the bar.

Vertonghen is now down on the floor receiving treatment. His ankle seems to be the problem; he's been troubled by issues with it already this season.

The Belgium international is set to solider on.

The Tottenham onslaught continues with a succession of corners but Arsenal ride out the storm. The Gunners seek respite and make their way up the pitch but any momentum is curtailed by Xhaka, who fouls Vertonghen.

Wanyama sets Son free. The Korean jinks past Oxlade-Chamberlain and fires at Cech, but his effort is deflected into the path of Eriksen, who somehow misses the target as his shots cannons away off the bar.

Two huge chances for Spurs wasted, will they rue them?

Alli should score. Kane's patient play eventually hands the young PFA Player of the Year a guilt-edged chance, but he somehow misses the net from two yards out.

Incredible defensive work from the Ox to put Alli off, but still, he must do better there.

Vertonghen's excellent distribution helps Tottenham probe the Gunners, but their pressure counts for nothing. Trippier, usually so good at crossing, delivers wildly.

Kane and Son interchange in the Arsenal penalty area but are eventually crowded out. Vertonghen tries to ramp up the pressure but the Belgian gives away a cheap foul on Ozil.

Xhaka responds in kind as he upends Son. He of all people needs to watch himself, judging by his disciplinary record.

Tottenham enjoying a lot more possession but Arsenal comfortable at this stage.

Tottenham vs Arsenal
Reuters

Meagre shouts for a penalty as Lloris challenges Gibbs in the box, but replays show the Frenchman got a strong hand on the ball.

Both teams feeling each other out at this stage. No chances of note, apart from Kane's early drive that Cech dealt with easily.

Corner for Tottenham after Eriksen's hopeful lofted pass is nodded behind by Koscielny. The Dane delivers, Alderweireld connects, but the fall flies over the bar.

First chance goes Tottenham's way as Kane makes just enough space to get a shot off. He tests Cech, who saves and holds.

Victor Wanyama gets things under way at White Hart Lane. Michael Oliver is the referee today.

Both sets of teams are in the tunnel, Kick-off just moments away.

Just 10 minutes to go. A recap of the teams:

Tottenham: Lloris (C), Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Wanyama, Son, Eriksen, Dele, Kane.

Arsenal: Cech, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Xhaka, Gibbs, Ozil, Sanchez, Giroud.

Some pre-match thoughts from Harry Kane:

"I feel passion when you mention Arsenal, not for them obviously. Passion among players and fans. I remember my first North London derby, we won 2-1 and I scored a brace, that was one of the best days of my life.

"I want to win trophies. In three years time if I've not won a few trophies, i'll be disappointed. To win the Premier League title would be incredible."

Harry Kane
Reuters

Some pre-match thoughts from Mauricio Pochettino:

"For our players we need to be focused, we have one of the most exciting matches to play, the last derby at White Hart Lane. The players don't know the Chelsea result but it doesn't affect us."

Less than half an hour to go until kick-off. Spurs are out, being put through their pre-match paces.

Some going by Alli. Can he carry on his incredible season against his side's bitterest of rivals?

Tottenham need a win to keep their title ambitions alive. The team they're chasing, Chelsea, are 2-0 up and coasting to victory against Everton at Goodison Park.

Follow the dying embers of the clash on Merseyside here.

Keep doing what you're doing is the message from Danish supremo Christian Eriksen.

Mousa Dembele is only fit for the bench, but the absence of Kyle Walker is somewhat surprising. Trippier comes in to fill the void left by the England international, who makes up a place on the bench.

For Arsenal, Wenger has stuck with their three-at-the-back formation. Oxlade-Chamberlain has returned from injury and will help supplement an attack led by Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud.

A landmark day for Jan Vertonghen, whatever happens.

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal substitutes: Ospina, Holding, Bellerin, Walcott, Coquelin, Welbeck, Iwobi

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal: Cech, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Xhaka, Gibbs, Ozil, Sanchez, Giroud.

TEAM NEWS

Tottenham substitutes: Vorm, Walker, Wimmer, Dembele, Sissoko, Nkoudou, Janssen.

TEAM NEWS

Tottenham: Lloris (C), Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Wanyama, Son, Eriksen, Dele, Kane.

Just over five minutes until team news drops. Will Dembele start? Will Wenger stick with his 3-4-2-1 formation?

We'll find out every shortly.

Arsene Wenger has sent Tottenham a mesagge ahead of their move to their new 61,000-seater stadium.

"First of all, you face financial restrictions, which we did. Overall, it might be less in future because you have more income," Wenger said.

"Secondly because you don't feel at home like you were before. And you need to recreate a kind of history to feel comfortable and to feel like you play at home. I would say it can take two years [to feel at home]."

Wenger also discussed a potential power shift in north London:"When you finish 20 years above them, it's not important and now suddenly it becomes important," he said. "Yes, it matters, of course. We want to be stronger than Spurs, we want to be stronger than everybody."

Read more on the story here.

Arsene Wenger
Reuters

Something to please all Tottenham fans; Dembele is in the building!

Arsene Wenger claims his recent shift in formation from 4-2-3-1 to 3-4-3 was to bring out the best in all the Arsenal players.

Arsenal have won three games in a row in all competitions since January, including an impressive 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final, with their new system, and Wenger claims he wanted to switch to the formation in early March.

"In fairness I wanted to do it a month-and-a-half ago, but I thought no, maybe we shouldn't destroy the way we have played before, because we were 20 games unbeaten," Wenger told Sky Sports. "When the confidence becomes fragile, sometimes just to focus on something different is important."

"At the moment it looks like it gets the best out of every player. It's not a new system because I played it 20, 30 years ago! But it's a system that sometimes brings some reassurance when the defensive confidence is not at the best."

Arsene Wenger
Wenger's formation change has seen Arsenal win three games on the trot Getty

INJURY NEWS

Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele is a huge doubt for his side's clash against Arsenal after suffering an ankle injury during his side's win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday night (26 April). The talismanic Belgian has been assessed by the club's medical team and could well miss out.

Dembele's knock is not the only injury problem that has hit Tottenham; young defender Cameron Carter-Vickers has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Spurs did receive more encouraging news regarding Danny Rose and Michel Vorm, who are both back in training, but the game against the Gunners is likely to come too soon for the pair.

Mousa Dembele
Dembele's presence - or lack thereof - could prove vital. Reuters

Good afternoon and welcome to IB Times UK's live coverage of Tottenham vs Arsenal.

The last North London derby has an incredible amount riding on it. A win for Tottenham would keep the title race alive, while victory for Arsenal would boost their top four hopes no end.

Three points for Mauricio Pochettino's men would also mean that they are guaranteed to finish above Arsenal for the first time in 21 years, but there is more than simple pride at stake this afternoon.

Stick with IB Times UK for the latest from the Lane.