Spurs make history against Arsenal with a 45 meters winner

North London derby is one the most fiercest in all of England and both Tottenham and Arsenal had some memorable moments and wins. But today it was special. Staged in Hong Kong, this was the first North London derby outside UK and Tottenham will have the honor to be written as the winners after they defeated Arsenal with only one, but a spectacular goal. Spurs, led by a newly appointed coach Thomas Frank showed their ‘teeth’ to the rival (unlike Arsenal’s previous opponents Milan and Newcastle) and had a better performance with stronger chances and a goal which came from 45 meters away.

Unlike the first two games, Mikel Arteta didn’t want to risk anything against the fierce rival, so Rice, Norgaard and Odegaard started in midfield, with Martinelli taking his left side and Kai Havertz attacking from his false nine position. Thomas Frank started his expensive African signing Mohammed Kudus on the right, with Odobert attacking from the left while captain Heung-Min Son was left on the bench amid plenty of speculation surrounding his future. Arsenal enjoyed a better start in the opening minutes, but Spurs soon took over and had no less than two excellent chances before taking a beautiful but controversial lead.

Arsenal had a good chance after four minutes, when Odegaard’s hit was flicked just wide by the head of Saliba. Seven minutes later Tottenham nearly got the lead, as Porro’s corner didn’t touch anybody and hit the far post. In the 28th minute the Spurs hit the woodwork again and this time it was Odobert with his effort into the bottom right corner. But a truly remarkable miss came just a minute later. A corner from the left went all the way to the back post and somehow Richarlison can't turn it in from less than two meters! But Spurs still managed to score the goal minutes before the end of the first half and it was a fantastic score. Pape Mater Sarr took the ball from the center of the field, saw a rushed out Raya and lobbed him from 45 meters! The replay showed that Lewis-Skelly might have been fouled by Richarlison but there is no VAR in these matches and the referee didn’t react so the goal was given.

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The second half started much slower and Martinelli finally had a chance in the 58th minute after a pass from Havertz, but the ball went over the bar. Tottenham nearly increased the lead when Tel crossed and Van de Ven headed the ball, but it was only above the bar. Victor Gyokeres was introduced in the 77th minute, along with another newcomer Mosquera and teenage sensation Dowman but they managed nothing during the 20 minutes they were on the field.