LONDON: Mikel Arteta launched a scathing assault on referee Paul Tierney after Tottenham beat 10-man Arsenal 3-0 on Thursday to maintain alive their hopes of ending within the Premier League’s prime 4.
Antonio Conte’s facet would have been eradicated from the race to qualify for subsequent season’s Champions League if they’d misplaced to their bitter north London rivals.
However Harry Kane tormented Arsenal as soon as once more because the Tottenham striker opened the scoring with a controversial penalty.
Crucially, Arsenal’s Rob Holding was despatched off for 2 bookings in seven minutes.
Kane netted once more earlier than the interval and Son Heung-min bagged Tottenham’s third purpose within the second half.
As an alternative of sealing a return to the Champions League for the primary time because the 2016-17 season, fourth-placed Arsenal now face a nerve-jangling conclusion to the top-four battle.
Arsenal nonetheless maintain a slender benefit, however the finish of their four-match profitable run leaves them only one level forward of fifth-placed Tottenham, with each side having two video games left.
Gunners boss Arteta was livid with each the penalty and pink card, saying: “If I say what I feel I’m suspended for six months. I don’t know the right way to lie so I favor to not say what I feel.
“I can not give my opinion. I feel you possibly can learn my physique language very clearly. I’m not sad with my gamers. I’m happy with my gamers.
“I need the referees to return in entrance of the digital camera and clarify his choices. It’s a disgrace as a result of such a phenomenal recreation was destroyed immediately.”
Conte mentioned a number of weeks in the past that it could be a “miracle” if Tottenham reached the Champions League given their lowly place when he changed the sacked Nuno Espirito Santo in November.
However their victory in arguably the most important north London derby since Arsenal received the league at White Hart Lane in 2004 ensured that miracle may nonetheless come true.
Tottenham host struggling Burnley on Sunday then journey to relegated Norwich, whereas Arteta’s males go to Newcastle on Monday and entertain Everton.
Having masterminded Tottenham’s largest league win over Arsenal since 1983, Conte referred to as on his gamers to keep up the momentum in opposition to Burnley.
“We received an essential derby and now we’re near them within the desk. For positive, we have to get well very effectively as a result of we’ll play on Sunday in opposition to a crew that has crushed us,” he mentioned.
“I used to be very clear with my gamers, to get pleasure from and have a good time in the correct method however on the similar time take into consideration Sunday as in any other case this win won’t be essential.”
In addition to the large European stakes for each side, Tottenham additionally felt lingering resentment about Arsenal’s profitable enchantment to have this fixture postponed in January attributable to Covid and damage issues.
The acrimony didn’t take lengthy to boil over within the deafening environment on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Amid the maelstrom, it was Tottenham who landed the primary blow after 22 minutes.
Cedric Soares collided with Son as they contested Dejan Kulusevski’s cross within the six-yard field and the contact was sufficient to persuade Tierney to award a penalty.
Arsenal surrounded Tierney to complain angrily, however Kane stepped as much as ship Aaron Ramsdale the improper method with a nerveless spot-kick.
Arsenal had been shell-shocked and the sport shifted decisively in Tottenham’s favour within the thirty third minute.
Eric Dier’s lengthy move focused Son and Holding crudely blocked his path together with his shoulder, a useless offence that prompted Tierney to ship off the defender for his second reserving.
Scenting blood, Tottenham doubled their lead 4 minutes after Holding’s untimely exit.
Rodrigo Bentancur flicked on a nook and Kane stooped to move residence from nearly on the road as Conte celebrated with a jig of pleasure.
Kane, the highest scorer in north London derby historical past in all competitions, now has 13 objectives in 17 conferences with Arsenal, who should rue the day they rejected him as a eight-year-old.
The evening bought even higher for Conte within the forty seventh minute as Kane rolled Gabriel and the ball broke for Son to clip a deft end into the nook.