On Wednesday evening, Tottenham Hotspur took on Arsenal away from home in the North London derby, for game week 21 of the 24/25 Premier League season.
How it all happened throughout this North London derby
For the task at hand, Ange went with a line up of: Kinsky; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Bergvall, Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Solanke, Son.
In the early stages of the game, Ange’s side were seriously under siege, facing a number of set pieces. After 13 minutes or so, there was a presentable opportunity for Leandro Trossard, but his shot was well blocked.
Sixteen minutes or so in, Kinsky was robbed of possession by Kai Havertz, but did well to recover the ball. Hearts were in mouths for a moment. Very intense start to the game.
Five minutes later, a rare foray forward from Spurs lead to an outside foot cross from Spence towards Solanke, who seemed ready to convert — but an incredible intervention from Gabriel put the ball behind. From that corner, the ball fell perfectly to Kulusevski in the box, but he could not beat David Raya. Should have scored.
After twenty five minutes, Spurs took the lead. Following a corner, the ball fell to Son on the edge of the box, and the skipper’s strike found the bottom corner, via the aid of a deflection off an Arsenal player.
Two minutes later, Sarr found himself in the book for delaying the restart following a foul. Pretty needless yellow card, especially in a game like this.
There were five minutes of the first half remaining when Gabriel nipped in at the far post to head the ball in via Solanke for an own goal. The decision to give a corner was the talking point, with the ball coming off Trossard last. I assume the fanbase that think PGMOL have an agenda against them will agree with that decision.
With two minutes of the half remaining, Arsenal made it two. Really poor from Bissouma who got dispossessed. Poor from the defence to not close Trossard down. Poor from Kinsky to let it through his wrists.
At half time, Ange introduced Maddison and Johnson to proceedings, with Bissouma and Sarr making way.
With just over ten minutes to go, Richarlison replaced Son, for his first appearance since early November, in the win over Aston Villa.
In stoppage time, Porro tried to catch Raya out at his near post, and smacked the post. The first and only thing to talk about all second half. Just wow. There have been some poor performances under Ange, but how many halves have been as uneventful as that second one there? Awful.
The moment Arsenal took the lead, it felt game over. Horrendous performance. Whilst the first goal should not have been given as a corner, Spurs did not deserve anything from that game. Make no mistake about it. That was utterly dreadful.