Harry Kane struck a double as Tottenham reignited the battle to finish in the top four with a convincing 3-0 victory at home to 10-man Arsenal.
The England striker coolly converted a spot kick awarded for Cedric Soares’ foul on Son Heung-Min to put the hosts in front on 22 minutes.
The Gunners’ evening then took a further turn for the worse when Rob Holding was given his marching orders for a second yellow card following another foul on Son just past the half hour.
Kane took full advantage of Arsenal’s disarray when he boosted his tally in North London derbies to 13 goals overall, tucking in a flick-on from a right-wing corner on 37 minutes.
Spurs were in complete control and they made sure it would be a long second period for their rivals when Son netted within a minute of the restart to claim his 21st league goal of the campaign.
The result means fifth-placed Spurs move to within a point of Arsenal in fourth spot, with just two matches to play.
Next up, Spurs host Burnley on Sunday while Arsenal visit Newcastle on Monday.
TALKING POINT
Advantage Spurs? If there was a worst-case scenario for Mikel Arteta this was it. A resounding defeat with defensive deficiencies exposed and issues over personnel to consider with Holding set for a suspension and Gabriel appearing to limp off injured.
Fourth place remains in the Gunners’ hands, but it’s likely to now go to the wire. Spurs meet Burnley next and could be ahead of Arsenal prior to their clash at Newcastle. Arteta’s side then finish with battling Everton at home while Spurs are at rock-bottom Norwich.
The fixtures, the momentum and the goal difference appear to favour Spurs, but Arteta’s young guns have bounced back plenty of times already this season and will need to show real character from here if they to achieve their target.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Son Heung-Min (Tottenham). Kane will get the headlines for his brace but Son was the player Arsenal simply could not handle. Holding’s red card is testament to that as he capped another live-wire showing with a goal that moves him to within one of Mo Salah in the race to be the Premier League’s top marksman.
PLAYER RATINGS
SPURS: Lloris 7, Emerson Royal 8, Sanchez 8, Dier 8, Davies 8, Hojbjerg 8, Bentancur 8, Sessegnon 8, Kulusevski 8, Son 9, Kane 9. Subs: Bergwijn 6, Moura 6, Rodon n/a.
ARSENAL: Ramsdale 7, Tomiyasu 6, Holding 4, Gabriel 6, Cedric 5, Xhaka 6, Elneny 6, Saka 6, Odegaard 6, Martinelli 5, Nketiah 6. Subs: Smith Rowe 6, Lacazette 6, Tavares 6.
KEY MOMENTS
22’ – GOAL! – Tottenham 1-0 Arsenal. Kane sends Ramsdale the wrong way with a clinical low spot kick into the corner.
33’ – ARSENAL RED CARD! Holding is shown a second yellow card for blocking Son’s run. The referee has no option. That’s so rash from the Gunners man.
37’ – GOAL! – Tottenham 2-0 Arsenal. Kane stoops in at the far post to nod home from close range after Arsenal had failed to deal with a flick-on from a right-wing corner.
47’ – GOAL! – Tottenham 3-0 Arsenal. Son gets in on the act as he calmly tucks a first-time shot into the corner after Kane had caused havoc inside the area.
59’ – TOTTENHAM CHANCE! Emerson almost steals in for a fourth but Ramsdale pulls off a fine stop to keep out his header following a brilliant cross from Kane.
