Harry Kane’s second-half header proved enough to earn Tottenham a deserved 1-0 triumph against shoddy north London rivals Arsenal and storm – at least temporarily – into the Premier League’s top three.
After he had glanced wide in the first half, Kane was clinical in the 49th minute when picked out by excellent Wales left-back Ben Davies. Kane actually should have earned a hat-trick by 54 minutes, but was uncharacteristically profligate.
Here, we analyse the performance of the Spurs striker:
STATISTICS
Goals – 1
Assists – 0
Shots – 4
Shots on target – 2
Touches – 32
Passes – 19
Key passes – 0
Dribbles – 0
Dispossessed – 1
30-SECOND REPORT
Emerged as the match winner once again in the north London derby when he took advantage of the porous Arsenal defence to head in the 49th-minute opener.
Consistently preyed on the deficiencies in the opposition rank and should have earned a hat-trick by 54 minutes. First headed an inviting Eric Dier centre wide, before lashing a thunderous volley straight at the overworked Gunners goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Would almost turn creator later on when he somehow spotted substitute Erik Lamela and cushioned a ball perfectly into his path.
GOT RIGHT
TARGETING A WEAK POINT – Kane swiftly realised his markers had no intention of properly performing their duties. Consistently – and expertly – drifted into the gaping chasm between Arsenal centre-backs Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi.
COMMITMENT TO THE CAUSE – Kane’s enthusiasm for the derby was utilised perfectly. Would drop deeper when Arsenal players took too much time in his zone. But was still awake to fact he was the figurehead for Spurs’ attack. Had 11 more touches than opposite number Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
GOT WRONG
MISSING HIS MARK – On another day, Kane would have been heading home with the match ball.
From four presentable chances, it was strange to see Europe’s top goalscorer from 2017 only convert one. It is easy to forgive him not being able to convert a volley from the edge of a penalty box packed with Arsenal and Spurs players, plus the giant Petr Cech. But only scoring one header when unmarked three times is not like him.
KEY MOMENTS
5th min CHANCE CREATED: Kane’s trademark desire was on full show from the off. Drove back into his own half, tackled the dawdling Egypt centre midfielder Elneny and pinged a perfect ball to Son Heung-min, which the South Korea forward didn’t make the most of.
27th min CHANCE: Gets in-between Arsenal’s centre-backs, but header is not on target. Now smells blood after he realises how sloppy Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi are in undertaking their defensive duties.
49th min GOAL: Can’t say Arsenal weren’t warned. Kane refuses to pass up another unmarked header and he guides the ball perfectly into the corner, for his seventh goal in seven appearances against the Gunners. Huge celebrations for the boyhood Spurs fan, against the team who released him as a nine-year-old.
52nd min CHANCE: Anchorman Dier picks out Kane from deep, whose header bounces wide. Probably should have scored, despite being just inside penalty area.
54th min CHANCE: Smashes a rasping volley straight at Arsenal keeper Cech from the edge of the box. Connection was perfect, but didn’t get enough angle on it. Another let off for the negligent visitors to Wembley.
72nd min CHANCE CREATED: A Spurs counter-attack caused a cross-field ball to be rocketed towards Kane. Somehow found time to swivel, see Erik Lamela in the corner of his eye and chest it delicately towards the Argentina winger. Just five seconds later, Cech was pulling off a fine stop.
VERDICT
Alongside Denmark playmaker Christian Eriksen and Belgium centre-back Jan Vertonghen, was one of the best players on the pitch.
Only regret will be the fact he was only able to add one goal to his leading Premier League tally for the season – which stands at 23.
Kane’s reputation as a complete striker was enhanced throughout. As his heatmap attests, work much harder than Arsenal’s lauded attacking trio of Mesut Ozil, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang put together.
RATING: 7/10
All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com
Whoscored’s heatmap comparing Harry Kane to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.