Key Points
- Eberechi Eze scored his first career hat-trick, becoming the first player to achieve a Premier League hat-trick in a North London Derby, in Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium.
- Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a bundled finish from a chipped through ball by Mikel Merino.
- Eze netted twice around half-time: first in the 41st minute with a deflection off Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven, then 35 seconds into the second half with a left-footed strike into the far corner.
- Tottenham’s Richarlison pulled one back with a stunning 40-yard lob over David Raya in the 55th minute, exploiting a mistake by Martin Zubimendi.
- Eze completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with a clinical finish from the edge of the box after a cutback from Trossard, securing a 4-1 victory.
- Arsenal moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League ahead of second-place Chelsea, following Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle.
- Eze, who rejected Tottenham in favour of a £60 million move from Crystal Palace to Arsenal in August, became only the fourth Arsenal player to score a treble against Spurs since Alan Sunderland in 1978.
- Tottenham manager Thomas Frank opted for a defensive back-five initially, switching to a back-four at half-time with Xavi Simons replacing Kevin Danso, but could not stem Arsenal’s dominance.
- The match featured off-ball scuffles involving Richarlison, labelled a pantomime villain by observers.
- Post-match, Eze described the day as “special,” crediting prayer and family presence, calling his second goal his favourite.
Arsenal dominated Tottenham 4-1 in a thrilling North London Derby, powered by Eberechi Eze’s historic hat-trick, extending their lead at the Premier League summit to six points. The Emirates Stadium erupted as the Gunners stamped their authority following Manchester City’s earlier slip-up against Newcastle. Eze’s clinical finishing overshadowed Tottenham’s defensive resilience and Richarlison’s wondergoal.
What Sparked Arsenal’s Early Breakthrough?
Arsenal set the tempo from kick-off, dominating possession against a conservative Tottenham side under Thomas Frank. As reported in The Boar, the home side controlled the ball while Spurs sat deep with a back-five, prioritising solidity over creativity.
The deadlock broke in the 36th minute when Leandro Trossard latched onto a chipped through ball from makeshift centre-forward Mikel Merino to bundle home the opener. According to Sky Sports coverage, this goal came after a tense opening where Tottenham thwarted Mikel Arteta’s attacks.
Eze then ignited the “Eberechi Eze show,” as described in The Boar, doubling the lead in the 41st minute after squirming between Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur, with the ball deflecting slightly off Micky van de Ven.
How Did Eze Seal His Place in Derby History?
Just 35 seconds into the second half, Eze struck again, curling a left-footed shot into the far corner, sublime in execution as noted by Sky Sports. This rapid second goal followed Thomas Frank’s tactical switch to a back-four, substituting Xavi Simons for Kevin Danso, yet Arsenal’s momentum proved unstoppable.
Eze’s performance etched history: ESPN reports he became the first player to score a Premier League hat-trick in the North London Derby, eclipsing legends like Thierry Henry and Harry Kane, and only the third Arsenal player overall after Ted Drake (1934) and Alan Sunderland (1978). Pain in the Arsenal highlighted that not even Henry or Kane achieved this in the fixture.
Could Tottenham Mount a Comeback?
A glimmer of hope emerged for Spurs in the 55th minute when Richarlison, amid off-ball scuffles earning him pantomime villain status per The Boar, capitalised on Martin Zubimendi’s error. The Brazilian executed a precise first-time lob from 40 yards over a backpedalling David Raya, as detailed by beIN Sports and Sky Sports, giving the sparse away end something to cheer.
Reuters noted this cut the deficit to 3-1 with 35 minutes left, but Tottenham’s first shot until then underscored their struggles. Despite the stunner, Arsenal’s lead held firm.
What Clinched Arsenal’s Dominant Win?
Eze wrapped up proceedings in the 76th minute with his third, confidently finishing Trossard’s cutback from the left beyond Guglielmo Vicario, per beIN Sports. The Premier League official site called it a “sensational hat-trick,” his first senior treble, against the club he snubbed.
GOAL.com praised Eze’s dream derby debut, painting North London red and showing Spurs what they missed. The full-time whistle met raucous cheers, with Arsenal now on four straight wins in the fixture.
How Did Eze Reflect on His Historic Night?
Post-match, Eberechi Eze told Sky Sports:
“That’s a good one, man. Enjoyable day. Happy to help the team and to win today was a special,”
as quoted by ESPN. He added:
“It’s special. I am grateful. I prayed for it. This is what I pray for. I prayed for a hat-trick so I am grateful to God. That was the prayer today. God gave it to me and that is faith, man. All my family is here and that makes it even more special for me.”
On his favourite, Eze replied:
“They are all good. Maybe the second one. That was my favourite. All of them are good for me because I have been working on the process to get in that position so that’s good again.”
He concluded:
“It is special. Words can’t explain this one today”.
beIN Sports reported Eze cherishing the “special” derby, having rejected Spurs for his boyhood club Arsenal in August’s £60m switch from Crystal Palace.
What Are the Bigger Implications for the Title Race?
Arsenal’s victory, following City’s 2-1 loss at St James’ Park to Newcastle, propelled them six points clear of Chelsea after 12 games, per multiple outlets including Reuters and the Premier League site. ESPN confirmed their position atop the table.
Tottenham, unbeaten away under Frank pre-match per The Boar, faced a harsh reality check. YouTube highlights captured the fiery atmosphere, with Eze’s street football flair shining.
