Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Arsenal
It’s often the case that the most eagerly anticipated football games are cagey affairs – understandably so, given what is often on the line.
So the North London derby at Wembley, Arsenal’s second home in recent years, against the Gunners’ arch-rivals and now stadium tenants was unlikely to be any different.
What this match showed us, however, sports betting fans is that it is Spurs who now truly have the edge in the capital.
This victory left them seven points clear of the Gunners and all but extinguished their rivals’ Champions League qualification hopes.
Whatever the betting odds over the next three months, I am certain Arsenal are destined to miss out on reaching the Champions League for a second successive season.
What was also certain was that the man who consigned Arsenal to derby day defeat would be Harry Kane.
If there is a better front-man in the world right now, I am unaware of his name.
Four minutes after the re-start he yet again proved his worth, expertly heading down and home a Ben Davies cross to make the breakthrough.
That was no surprise and that was all that was required to complete a memorable 10 days for Mauricio Pochettino’s side – 10 days in which they have taken seven points from Man Utd, Liverpool and now Arsenal.
After a first half of few chances, Kane’s header brought the match to life and it was all Spurs from that moment.
Indeed, but for a combination of profligate finishing and a superb show by veteran goalkeeper Petr Cech, Spurs would have been home and hosed as Kane, Dele Ali, substitute Erik Lamela and Kieran Trippier were all denied.
Driven on by Mousa Dembele, Spurs thoroughly deserved victory in the 195th North London derby, even if the failure to add a second goal nearly came back to haunt them as Alexandre Lacazette went close late on.
But that would have been a travesty as Arsene Wenger lost only the ninth of the 53 North London derbies he has taken charge of in the red corner.
Before this match, former Arsenal defender Martin Keown predicted the signings of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan spelt a new beginning for Arsenal.
Yet this just seemed more of the same.
As Wembley echoed to the chant of ‘Harry Kane – he’s one of our own’, it was hard not to argue that North London is now Spurs’ own.
It was also hard to argue with a record which has seen the Spurs no 10 score seven goals in seven north London derbies.
If ever confirmation of the club’s stature is needed, simply look ahead to midweek.
While Spurs now travel to Italy to face Italian champions Juventus, Arsenal are preparing to face Ostersunds of Sweden.
Led by Prince Harry, Spurs are the current kings of North London, make no mistake!
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