Harry Kane and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg starred for Tottenham as they beat Arsenal 2-0 in the first North London Derby of the 2020/21 Premier League on Sunday.
It took just 13 minutes for Tottenham to take the lead at their home ground as Son Heung-min scored a spectacular goal from around 30 yards out, after being sent through by Harry Kane.
Having suffered the early blow, Arsenal showed signs of recovery and were on the ascendancy but were struck by a lightning-quick counterattack by Jose Mourinho’s men and this time it was Son playing Kane in, whose thunderous effort from close-range hit the bar and went into the back of the net.
Arsenal controlled the game much better in the second-half, although it helped that Tottenham sat deep and hit them on the break. There were a few half-chances for Mikel Arteta’s side while Alexandre Lacazette went close with a headed effort but they couldn’t muster up a comeback as Tottenham held on to claim bragging rights in North London.
The result also meant Tottenham were back at the top of the Premier League standings after Chelsea had usurped the spot on Saturday. Arsenal, meanwhile, are now 15th in the table, having not won four in a row in the league. And here’s how we rated the performances of both sets of players at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham Hotspur
Hugo Lloris: 7/10
The Spurs skipper started after there were doubts over his involvement in the lead-up. Wasn’t called into action a lot with Arsenal restricted to half-chances. Did make a huge save to deny Lacazette in the second half, after having denied his compatriot soon after half-time.
Serge Aurier: 8/10
Often called out for his lack of awareness at the back, the Ivorian was immense against Arsenal on Sunday. Made a key interception to deny Aubameyang a chance in the first half before starting the move for Tottenham’s second. Was at hand to clear another dangerous cross from Dani Ceballos which would have led to a great chance for Lacazette.
Serge Aurier made more ball recoveries (11) and won more tackles (3) than any other Spurs player vs. Arsenal. pic.twitter.com/eexSXkQCgw
— Spurs Stat Man (@SpursStatMan) December 6, 2020
Toby Alderweireld: 8/10
Back into the starting XI after making a quick recovery from a groin injury, the Belgian was rock-solid throughout the game, hardly letting anything past by. A key sliding block on Aubameyang’s shot late in the game was a standout moment. Won a game-high five aerial duels and made the most clearances (11).
Eric Dier: 7/10
Much like his defensive partner, Eric Dier was a solid presence throughout the game, ensuring that Arsenal did not get a sniff at Lloris’ goal on the night. Made eight clearances, while winning three aerials as Arsenal sent in crosses after crosses into the box. Has grown into a vital player under Mourinho.
Sergio Reguilon: 7/10
A disciplined performance from the Spanish international, who chose his moments well to get forward, while remaining largely solid at the back.
Moussa Sissoko: 7/10
As usual, another industrious display from Sissoko, who covered a lot of ground while rarely letting go of his defensive duties. There were times when he dropped into the backline to support Aurier and Alderweireld, which he did to good effect.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: 9/10
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg's game by numbers vs. Arsenal:
100% take-ons completed
100% aerial duels won
61 touches
8 duels won
8 ball recoveries
5 clearances
3 interceptions
3 fouls conceded
3 fouls won
1 shotJosé's warrior. ? pic.twitter.com/3jZ5tbk4Qy
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 6, 2020
What an inspired signing Hojbjerg is proving to be for Tottenham! Was all over the Arsenal players like a rash coming out on top in his duel with Lacazette, while always knowing where to be to put out fires in the middle of the park even before they developed. Won six of his 14 duels, made five clearances and a match-high three interceptions.
Steven Bergwijn: 6.5/10
May not have scored or assisted a goal but put in a tremendous shift off the ball, which was important given the way Tottenham set up. Also managed to play a key pass before making way for Joe Rodon.
Giovani Lo Celso: 6.5/10
Starting in place of the injured Tanguy Ndombele, the Argentine picked up an early booking for a foul on Willian. Worked hard and kept his discipline though. Played a part in the second goal, finding Son with an accurate pass.
Son Heung-min: 8/10
Son Heung-Min’s game by numbers vs. Arsenal:
5 crosses
4 ball recoveries
2 chances created
2 tackles won
2 fouls won
1 shot
1 assist
1 goalHard yards and attacking efficiency. ? pic.twitter.com/C8bkSzTPp2
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 6, 2020
With his goal against Burnley last season getting nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award, Son scored another worldie here, putting Tottenham in front with a scintillating strike that left Bernd Leno with no chance. Smartly assisted Kane for the second goal and put in the hard yards off the ball, showing great industry and positional discipline.
Harry Kane: 9/10
The player to watch in our preview of the game, Kane showed exactly why he is so integral to this Tottenham side. Dropped deep time and again to collect the ball and set his teammates away, with one such move leading to the opener.
Made it 2-0 with a powerful effort from within the box, in the process becoming the highest-ever goalscorer in the North London derbies, while reaching 250 goals for club and country. Showed great willingness to help out defensively, making a number important clearances at the other end. World-class.
Harry Kane’s first half vs. Arsenal by numbers:
4 passes attempted (2 completed)
3 ball recoveries
3 fouls won
2 clearances
2 shots
1 assist
1 goalUnbelievable efficiency. ? pic.twitter.com/16QzYJEKs7
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 6, 2020
Substitutes
Ben Davies: 6/10
Came on for Lo Celso in the 72nd minute. Solid and steady, ensured there were no late mishaps at the back.
Lucas Moura: N/A
Replaced Son with less than five minutes left.
Joe Rodon: N/A
Stoppage time substitute for Bergwijn.
Arsenal
Bernd Leno: 5/10
Not a lot Leno could have done for Tottenham’s first goal but an argument could be made that he should have protected his near post better for the second.
Rob Holding: 5/10
Picked over David Luiz, the Englishman was guilty for the opener as he backed off allowing Son the time and space to shoot. Struggled to cope with the waves of counterattacks, although he had little help from Hector Bellerin.
Gabriel Magalhaes: 6/10
Strong in his challenges, solid in the air, while being progressive when on the ball – it wasn’t the most memorable North London derby for the Brazilian but he showed his quality once again, winning eight of his ten duels and misplacing just 7 passes. Although, did lose Kane in the buildup to the opener and looked uncomfortable when Spurs countered.
Kieran Tierney: 6/10
One of the few Arsenal players who impressed. Was an outlet on the left and delivered several teasing crosses, which his teammates failed to make the most of. Was caught upfield for Spurs’ second goal.
Hector Bellerin: 3/10
? There have been 16 foul throws in the Premier League this season, Hector Bellerin has been responsible for ???? of them…
? No other player has managed more than one pic.twitter.com/YcFO85CUEe
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) December 6, 2020
Nowhere to be seen for either of Tottenham’s goals as he constantly got caught out of position. Lost possession a whopping 20 times before making way for Eddie Nketiah in the 75th minute. Poor.
Thomas Partey: 3/10
The Ghanaian’s availability was a big talking point heading into the game. While he was deemed fit to start, it hardly looked like he was ready. Caught out for the first goal, left his team exposed by walking off the pitch in the buildup to the second. Lost the ball to Lo Celso in a dangerous area in between those two moments. Came off with an injury before half-time.
Arteta had to push Partey back onto the pitch during the counter that led to Kane’s goal. Unfortunately, the midfielder pulled up and stopped moving (4th frame) pic.twitter.com/t8DPaMEy2t
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) December 6, 2020
Granit Xhaka: 3/10
Gave away needless fouls early in the game and was lucky not to be booked, although he did receive a yellow card for a lunge on Son in the second half. Caught out of position for Spurs’ second. Slow and unimaginative when on the ball.
Bukayo Saka: 5/10
Looked lively and tried to make things happen but to little avail. Did manage to complete two dribbles and make one key pass, while displayed his versatile nature once again, slotting in at right-back after Bellerin was taken off.
Willian: 4/10
Brought in to provide that bit of flair and creativity in the summer, the Brazilian hardly offered any of that against Spurs. Was passive with his distribution early on. Saw a lot of the ball after the break but couldn’t make the best use of it. Hit 16 crosses on the night, with only two finding their targets (!).
Arsenal attempted 44 crosses vs. Spurs today, the most by any team in a Premier League game this season.
2 shots on target, 0 goals and a loss to show for it. ? pic.twitter.com/jfO0dvapoP
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 6, 2020
Alexandre Lacazette: 5/10
Tried to play a role similar to what Kane does for Tottenham but had a hard time shaking off Hojbjerg. Did manage to get into a couple of promising positions in the second half when he was pushed further upfield, with Arsenal’s best chance falling to him. Couldn’t beat Lloris, however.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 3/10
A near-anonymous display from the Arsenal skipper. Had just one touch in the Spurs box in the first half. Should have done better with a chance in the second, when he headed Tierney’s cross over and couldn’t beat Alderweireld late in the game.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did not produce a shot on target, create a chance or complete a take-on against Spurs.
Of all 22 players that started the game, he had the fewest touches (21). ? pic.twitter.com/GfHQ1BkZju
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 6, 2020
Substitutes
Dani Ceballos: 5/10
Replaced the injured Partey just before half-time. Reliable as ever on the ball but wasn’t able to penetrate through a rigid Tottenham rearguard.
Eddie Nketiah: 5/10
On for Bellerin for the final fifteen minutes. Hardly got a touch.
