Here’s David Hytner’s verdict from a helter-skelter afternoon in North London. Thanks for joining me, enjoy your Sundays. Bye!
Ed Aarons was at the Vitality Stadium to see Bournemouth take the south-coast-side-chasing-Europe baton from Brighton:
Manchester City are taking on Nottingham Forest imminently, and they’re without Phil Foden (who is ill) while Erling Haaland starts on the bench. Also, Daniel Harris reports that Pep has gone for double-knit.
“Would Ramsdale have gifted Spurs a goal like that?” writes Nick Ramsdal Darryl Accone. “The second time in a few weeks Raya has done that. Raya out! Ramsdale in!” I was surprised there was no Sky cutaway to big Aaron on the bench after Raya dropped that clanger.
Ange Postecoglou’s verdict: “It’s disappointing – we allowed them way too easy access to our goal, it’s not acceptable at this level and we paid the price. We fought back – we had to, there’s no other choice – but it’s still very disappointing.”
“It feels odd to say, in the middle of the ecstasy of a derby win, but it won’t be until after Manchester City play tonight that I’ll know how to feel about this match,” writes Kári Tulinius.
Arsenal’s victory today surely ends any faint hope Liverpool had of getting back into the title race. City aside, you can’t see Arsenal dropping six points from their last three games: Bournemouth (H), Man Utd (A), Everton (H).
Also, happy St Totteringham’s Day to those who celebrate.
Here’s the top of the table as it stands. Arsenal are four points clear but City have two games in hand, while Spurs’ top-four hopes are fading with a few tough games to come.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 35 | 57 | 80 |
| 2 | Man City | 33 | 48 | 76 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 35 | 41 | 75 |
| 4 | Aston Villa | 35 | 21 | 67 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 33 | 15 | 60 |
Bukayo Saka speaks: “The last 20 minutes wasn’t nice, but we’ll take it to get the win. I’m proud of all the boys, we fought to the end. We just needed to be calm, showed level heads … we know what it means to the fans, and to us. It means everything. Three games to go. Do we need to be perfect? Yeah! We’ve learned our lessons, we’re ready for these last three games.”
Phew. We also reached a new level of Arsenality there. I don’t know whether to admire them for getting over the line, or admonish them for allowing that situation to unfold. Both Spurs goals came from rushes of blood, from Raya and Rice respectively.
Danny Whybrow checks in. “Zen baby. Totally unbearable, as expected.”
Full time! Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal
A derby that looked done and dusted with an hour gone ended in a nerve-jangling finish for Arsenal – but they held on for a precious victory to keep pressure on Manchester City in the race for the title.
96 mins: A poor delivery from Lo Celso is cleared at the near post and the return ball swirls behind Raya’s goal. Arsenal have held on for the win!
Updated
95 mins: Oh my! Son’s cross is palmed clear by Raya, but only to Bissouma, who opts not to shoot and gets crowded out. Spurs have another corner, and Vicario is coming up …
94 mins: It’s an Arsenal head that gets to the ball before Ben White hacks it away downfield. Spurs have to rebuild from the back …
94 mins: Porro’s free-kick is headed away by Saliba, but it goes behind for a Spurs corner …
93 mins: Richarlison gets the better of Saliba, who trips him. Spurs free kick, out wide on the left …
91 mins: Porro’s cross from deep is claimed by Raya. Arsenal haven’t been under sustained pressure in this half, yet their three-goal lead has been eroded to one.
90 mins: Six minutes of stoppage time. Hold on to your hats …
89 mins: Arsenal win a corner, which is flicked over Vicario – possibly by his own player, Romero – and has to be cleared by Van de Ven from under his crossbar.
88 mins: Richarlison clashes with Gabriel as the spice level ratchets up further. Kiwior is on for Odegaard, with Giovani Lo Celso replacing penalty-winner Ben Davies for Tottenham.
Updated
GOAL! Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal (Son pen 87')
Son smashes the penalty beyond Raya’s dive and into the top corner. Three minutes plus stoppage time – and this is about to get very interesting …
Updated
Penalty to Tottenham!
Shades of Doku and Mac Allister at Anfield, and this time VAR intervenes, Oliver awarding the spot-kick after a quick monitor check. Son Heung-min will take it …
Updated
84 mins: More VAR drama? Ben Davies gets to the ball ahead of Rice, whose swinging boot connects with Davies’ thigh. Michael Oliver says no, but I think this will be given …
82 mins: Another one! Thomas Partey goes in the referee’s book for one of those “tactical fouls” to stop a Spurs break.
81 mins: Vicario punches away and Odegaard hooks it in the air. The captain then wins a free kick, and Arsenal are keeping their cool – for now.
80 mins: The booking count doubles as Ben Davies wearily trips Saka. Arsenal get the free kick out wide on the right, from where Rice will whip it in …
78 mins: On first viewing, it looked like a foul on Johnson, although well outside the penalty area. He gets another chance to clip a cross in, but it’s plucked out of the air by Raya. “Well jinxed,” notes Thomas Stratford (see last two posts).
76 mins: The home fans still seem a little muted, although they’re on their feet when Brennan Johnson goes down under Martinelli’s challenge. Arsenal break, and Kulusevski is booked for hauling the Brazilian down.
75 mins: We haven’t seen a single booking yet, and Michael Oliver keeps his cards stowed despite a spat between Richarlison and Declan Rice.
Manchester City take on Nottingham Forest next – and Erling Haaland is on the bench. Join Daniel Harris for that one:
73 mins: Martinelli then gets upfield and sees his cross intercepted and (eventually) cleared by Bissouma.
72 mins: Eek! Martinelli can’t decide whether to pass back to Raya or clear, so instead smashes the ball low across his own penalty area, where it just escapes Richarlison.
71 mins: Kulusevski, impressive again in the No 10 role, finds Richarlison, whose cross loops off Tomiyasu and into Raya’s grateful grasp.
“In the first half when Arsenal won a corner, the camera picked out a Spurs fan screaming eff off at the corner taker,” notes Charles Antaki. “Thing is, now that it’s Spurs taking their corners there, said fan is doing exactly the same.”
68 mins: Arsenal are still being positive, though, and Odegaard gets to the byline only for the all-action Romero to hoof it clear.
66 mins: That freak goal has woken up Spurs fans (and players) who seemed resigned to their fate. One more goal and things will really heat up …
As Raya collected a back pass, Cristian Romero charged upfield for no apparent reason – but it paid off handsomely as the keeper clatters his clearance straight into him, allowing the centre-back to roll the ball into the far corner!
GOAL! Tottenham 1-3 Arsenal (Romero 65')
Oh my word. Spurs have faint hope from absolutely nowhere, thanks to a clanger from David Raya!
Updated
63 mins: Arsenal make their change first, with Gabriel Martinelli on for Trossard. James Maddison, who’s had a disappointing day, is replaced by Richarlison while Yves Bissouma is on for the hapless Hojbjerg.
62 mins: Before it can be taken, Maddison goes down after getting a shoulder in the face from Tomiyasu, who is all over him like an excited golden retriever.
61 mins: Spurs can’t find any intensity and Arsenal are able to stroll forward again, Saka winning a corner as Postecoglou prepares two more changes …
“Watching Ben White stand far from Vicario ahead of a corner, then jink and veer his way through four Spurs players to be standing right on the keeper’s hip by the time the ball was coming in, I am reminded of Arjen Robben in his pomp,” writes Alan Pyke. “You know what he’s going to do, but you just can’t stop it.”
58 mins: Odegaard looks for Havertz with a diagonal pass and finds his man, but the forward’s first touch lets him down. Arsenal currently look the more likely team to score next.
57 mins: Arsenal break again, Saka sliding the ball left to Trossard, whose shot is closed down.
56 mins: Johnson dances down the left but his cross is cleared behind by White, and Arsenal deal with the corner.
53 mins: The trouble for Spurs is that, at the other end, Arsenal can cut them open at will. Saka really should make it four, volleying at goal from Havertz’s chipped cross – but his shot is repelled by Vicario!
51 mins: Kulusevski keeps plugging away, intercepting Odegaard’s pass and charging into the area. He goes down under pressure from Gabriel, but the referee isn’t interested.
48 mins: The Spurs fans aren’t exactly racing back to their seats. Kulusevski sees two attempted crosses blocked, but his third outfoxes David Raya, allowing Romero to steal in – and head over the bar! He could have had a hat-trick today.
46 mins: Arsenal win an early free kick and Rice drifts in a cross, from which Tomiyasu heads over with the Spurs defence watching on.
Second half
We’re back under way, with Pape Matar Sarr coming on to replace Rodrigo Bentancur.
In today’s other 2pm game, Bournemouth lead Brighton 1-0 through Marcos Senesi’s early goal. A top-half finish looks very much on for the Cherries.
Updated
Another positive for Arsenal in the title race – their three-goal lead here puts them 11 clear of City’s goal difference. I’m not sure even City with two games in hand can catch that up, so two dropped points from Pep’s lot would put Arsenal back in pole position.
Tom Waterman writes: “Sorry (not sorry) to make this all about Villa, but given Spurs still have to play City, and the rate at which Arsenal are smashing away their goal difference, I think a win and two draws from our last three games will be enough to get Villa into the top four. Assuming we acquaint ourselves with the round white thing, unlike last night.”
I’ve got good news for all you Villa fans out there: you will be in the Champions League next season.
Half time: Tottenham 0-3 Arsenal
It’s been a closer game than the scoreline suggests, but Arsenal have been ruthless, scoring twice from corners either side of Bukayo Saka’s strike on the break. Spurs, who saw Micky van de Ven’s goal marginally ruled out, have had chances, but we are where we are.
50 mins: Kulusevski cuts inside and his cross rebounds to Johnson, whose snap-shot deflects behind. Another Spurs corner, but Arsenal deal with it and the half ends to half-hearted boos from the home fans.
48 mins: Arsenal have only had around 30% of possession in this half – and 100% of the goals.
47 mins: Ben White gets forward and collects a Havertz pass out wide – but he’s flagged offside.
45 mins: Put down that pie, there will be six minutes of added time.
44 mins: Another Spurs chance goes begging! Son gets in behind Saliba and Gabriel, but sends his shot high over the bar as Raya advances.
Arsenal are dominating the Tottenham defence at set pieces – two corners, two goals – and are very much laying down the gauntlet to City. As for Spurs, they might need a goal before the break to keep this game competitive.
GOAL! Tottenham 0-3 Arsenal (Havertz 38')
Another huge boost to Aston Villa’s top-four hopes! From Declan Rice’s corner, Kai Havertz is left alone to head home – and it feels like game over already.
Updated
“Typical London media bias, completely ignoring the true significance of the scoreline – the mighty Villa have our Champions League destiny back in our own hands,” writes Richard Morris. “Because teams never throw away 2-0 leads. Oh, hang on…”
34 mins: A calmer spell after the storm, with Arsenal’s defence happy to keep their opponents at arm’s length.
Here’s the disallowed Tottenham goal. A lot of anger on social media (what else is new, etc), but he is offside, isn’t he?
Micky van de Ven levels the derby...
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 28, 2024
... but VAR rules the goal out for offside! 😱 pic.twitter.com/gw4j9xF2tB
31 mins: More troubling news for Tottenham as Werner stays down with a muscle problem. He’s heading off, with Brennan Johnson replacing him.
Updated
Replays suggest Kulusevski tripped in the penalty area, before Maddison went over cheaply. Arsenal regained the ball, and Havertz swept it forward to Saka in acres of space down the right. He stands up Ben Davies, using the Spurs defender as a shield before sweeping the ball low past Vicario.
Updated
GOAL! Tottenham 0-2 Arsenal (Saka 27')
It gets even better for the Arsenal fans! As Tottenham appeal for a penalty, the visitors break at speed and Bukayo Saka finds the far corner. Ridiculous composure, and Arsenal double their lead!
Updated
Spurs goal disallowed! Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal
It’s a very, very close call, Van de Ven almost played on by Gabriel’s posterior – but the decision is offside, to the delight of one corner of the ground.
Updated
Goal? The corner is half-cleared and Porro’s cross-shot on the rebound pinballs into the path of Micky van de Ven, who slams the ball beyond Raya! But amid the din, the VAR officials are checking a big offside call …
Updated
22 mins: Kulusevski sees his hopeful shot closed down, but Spurs have a corner and another chance to test Arsenal at a set-piece …
20 mins: An even better chance goes begging for Spurs and for Romero, who gets up at the far post to meet Maddison’s free kick, but heads against the upright! Despite the scoreline, there are reasons for Arsenal fans to be concerned …
“Re: predictions,” writes Alex Whitney. “Now that Arsenal have scored first, I predict Romero will get a red card.”
18 mins: Oooof! Spurs go very close to levelling from the set piece, Romero getting ahead of Odegaard but sending his downward header just wide of the far post!
17 mins: Can Spurs hit back quickly? Ben Davies sees his cut-back picked out by Raya but they come again, and get a corner of their own as White heads behind …
After an intriguing, mid-tempo start, Arsenal are rather handed the lead from a set-piece. From Saka’s dangerous near-post delivery, Tomiyasu got under Hojbjerg’s skin and the Spurs man’s attempted header away flew straight inside Vicario’s near post.
GOAL! Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal (Højbjerg own goal 15')
Arsenal win a corner and from Saka’s delivery, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg flicks the ball beyond his own keeper! The visitors lead, just like that!
Updated
13 mins: The ever-influential Odegaard races on to Partey’s through ball, but the flag goes up as he rolls it back to Havertz, whose untidy finish won’t count. It was close, but Odegaard was half a yard off.
12 mins: At the other end, Son nicks the ball from Trossard on the edge of the Arsenal area and eventually tees up Maddison, whose wild shot is nowhere near the target.
10 mins: Odegaard lines it up, and while Vicario looks a little unhappy with his defensive wall, it does the job in blocking his effort at goal.
9 mins: Arsenal’s early approach is to sit in and look for Saka to lead breakaways. It almost works here, Saka working the ball via Odegaard to Trossard, whose cross is dealt with – but Maddison carelessly brings Partey down, giving the visitors a dangerous free-kick …
“If we do win the title from this point, we will deserve it because we are going to have to beat Spurs and Man Utd away – the latter causes me the most agitation,” writes Danny Whybrow. “This match can’t really be called, anything can happen, as both have the potential to be headless chickens. I am in a quiet pub attaining a zen perspective before that which I cannot control, happens. For once, I might actually enjoy this fixture.” Good luck with that.
8 mins: Now Werner gets forward down that same flank, but sends his cross straight into Raya’s arms.
7 mins: Saka will be looking to test Ben Davies down the Spurs left, but a couple of early attempted long balls towards the winger have been overcooked.
5 mins: A chance for Spurs to counter, but Arsenal get numbers back and Maddison is crowded out by the byline. Partey will be relieved after dallying on the ball there.
4 mins: Arsenal play it from front to back, but Bentancur is able to dispossess Partey in midfield …
2 mins: These two sides are the league’s highest scorers in the opening 15 minutes this season. Will we get a fast start here? Odegaard gets into space down the right, but Romero reads his attempted pass to Saka.
Here we go
Michael Oliver gets us started; Arsenal are attacking the imposing, single-tier South Stand in the first half.
Here are today’s match officials; here’s hoping in vain we have no further need to mention most of them.
Referee: Michael Oliver. Assistants: Stuart Burt, Dan Cook. Fourth official: Andy Madley. VAR: Jarred Gillett. Assistant VAR: Darren Cann.
This fixture has served up plenty of classics in the Premier League era – but from the archive, here are half-a-dozen memorable North London derbies from before football was invented in 1992.
Ange Postecoglou is asked what Tottenham need to do well today. “Pretty much everything! A lot on the line for both clubs, but we need to embrace it, and focus on what we’ve done well this season. If you want to be challenging for things, every game at the end of the season is going to be big. Has it felt like a long time since Newcastle? “An eternity, mate. I would have preferred to have games, but we’ve tried to use our time wisely.”
Whether you’re an anxious Arsenal fan, a stressed Spurs supporter or just an invested neutral, get in touch and let me know your thoughts. Email niall.mcveigh@theguardian.com or tweet me over here.
Mikel Arteta speaks: “A very strong opponent, a difficult ground – we have to stand up to the challenge. We are in rhythm, we’ve had a few days to prepare for the game. Every game is a must-win, and it has been for many months. We have to earn the right to win this game.”
Here’s Karen Carney on why form might not matter in the cauldron of a North London derby.
Updated
Another Arsenal game with big title implications is already under way in the WSL. Follow that one with Daniel Harris over here:
Plenty of pre-match reading for you; let’s start with Jonathan Wilson on Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs and what clubs mean to their fans.
Pre-game thoughts from the Arsenal captain, Martin Ødegaard: We feel good, really excited to play this kind of match. We have to stay focused and locked in on what we can control, and take it game by game. Today it’s the same mindset.”
And here’s the Spurs keeper, Guglielmo Vicario. “It’s very important for us to feel the support of our fans, [but] we will concentrate on ourselves. The game is crucial for us and our future, we don’t think about what it means for Arsenal.”
Three changes for Spurs from the 4-0 hiding at St James’ Park, with Dejan Kulusevski replacing Brennan Johnson, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg picked ahead of Yves Bissouma, and Ben Davies in for the injured Destiny Udogie. As for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta sticks with the starting XI that put five past Chelsea on Tuesday.
Updated
Team news
Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Davies; Højbjerg, Bentancur; Kulusevski, Maddison, Werner; Son (c).
Substitutes: Austin, Dragusin, Bissouma, Richarlison, Sarr, Bryan Gil, Emerson, Lo Celso, Johnson.
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Partey, Rice, Ødegaard (c); Saka, Havertz, Trossard.
Substitutes: Ramsdale, Kiwior, Jorginho, Vieira, Zinchenko, Smith Rowe, Martinelli, Nketiah, Gabriel Jesus.
Updated
Preamble
Arsenal fans don’t like to talk about it, but their team have secured the Premier League title on their local rivals’ patch before. Mikel Arteta’s team cannot win the title today but they are at risk of losing it here, with dropped points likely to be punished by Manchester City, looming ever larger in the rear-view mirror.
On the other hand, this Arsenal side shook off the painful home loss to Aston Villa by winning well at Wolves and then eviscerating Chelsea – and a similarly stirring performance here will turn the heat up on the champions. They play at the City Ground – the venue where Arsenal’s title bid fizzled out last term – later this afternoon.
Just six months ago, it was Tottenham at the top of the table but Ange Postecoglou’s men are now forlornly chasing Villa in fourth. They can still shape the title race, though, with City still to visit and a trip to Anfield next Sunday. Spurs have had 15 days to stew over the 4-0 defeat at Newcastle; Arsenal have played four times in that period.
Will Spurs rediscover their sense of purpose and test their opponents’ tired legs? Or will Arsenal maintain their momentum against hosts stuck in a stop-start rut? Who knows – this is the North London derby, a game where pretty much anything can happen. Kick-off: 2pm BST.
