Arsenal F.C. reasserted their authority in the title race as Eberechi Eze once again proved to be Tottenham Hotspur F.C.’s chief tormentor, guiding his side to a north London derby triumph that moved them five points clear at the summit of the Premier League.
The Gunners were under scrutiny after surrendering a two-goal advantage against Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. during the week, while Manchester City F.C. narrowed the deficit with a win over Newcastle United F.C. on Saturday.
Spurs, entering a new era under interim boss Igor Tudor, hoped to intensify the pressure in his first match at the helm. However, Arsenal’s quality and attacking edge overwhelmed their out-of-form rivals.
Eze — who netted a hat-trick in the 4-1 derby victory in November — once more led the charge, striking on either side of half-time. The forward, who had been close to signing for Spurs before Arsenal completed a £60m move from Crystal Palace F.C. in August, opened the scoring from close range in the 32nd minute.
Randal Kolo Muani responded almost immediately with a superb individual goal to level for Spurs, but the often-criticised Viktor Gyökeres restored Arsenal’s lead shortly after the restart with a precise right-footed strike from 20 yards.
Rather than retreat as they had at Wolves, Mikel Arteta’s league leaders kept pushing forward. Their persistence paid off in the 61st minute when Eze reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the box, calmly finishing beyond Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Tottenham offered little resistance thereafter. In stoppage time, Gyökeres powered past Archie Gray to grab his second goal and cap a commanding display, sealing an emphatic derby success for Arsenal.
The Gunners were under scrutiny after surrendering a two-goal advantage against Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. during the week, while Manchester City F.C. narrowed the deficit with a win over Newcastle United F.C. on Saturday.
Spurs, entering a new era under interim boss Igor Tudor, hoped to intensify the pressure in his first match at the helm. However, Arsenal’s quality and attacking edge overwhelmed their out-of-form rivals.
Eze — who netted a hat-trick in the 4-1 derby victory in November — once more led the charge, striking on either side of half-time. The forward, who had been close to signing for Spurs before Arsenal completed a £60m move from Crystal Palace F.C. in August, opened the scoring from close range in the 32nd minute.
Randal Kolo Muani responded almost immediately with a superb individual goal to level for Spurs, but the often-criticised Viktor Gyökeres restored Arsenal’s lead shortly after the restart with a precise right-footed strike from 20 yards.
Rather than retreat as they had at Wolves, Mikel Arteta’s league leaders kept pushing forward. Their persistence paid off in the 61st minute when Eze reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the box, calmly finishing beyond Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Tottenham offered little resistance thereafter. In stoppage time, Gyökeres powered past Archie Gray to grab his second goal and cap a commanding display, sealing an emphatic derby success for Arsenal.