Tottenham took a massive leap towards leapfrogging bitter rivals Arsenal in the race for top four this season after earning a 3-0 win against the Gunners at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight.
A brace from England star Harry Kane cemented his place as the all-time leading goalscorer in the North London Derby, with attacking partner Heung-min Son bagging his 21st-goal of the Premier League season and climbing to within one goal of league-leading Mohamed Salah.
3+ - Spurs are leading Arsenal by three or more goals in a Premier League match for the first time. Curtains. pic.twitter.com/moB4IoIHlP
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 12, 2022
The huge result for Antonio Conte's men was as timely as ever as Spurs now sit within one point of the Gunners, with both clubs having two matches left in the 2021-22 league campaign, but this was an especially big win in also representing their first-ever by 3+ goals over their north London rivals in the Premier League era, according to Opta.
It was a huge opportunity missed by Mikel Arteta's young guns away from home as a win would have guaranteed Arsenal Champions League football next season, but they will now have to travel to Newcastle for a potentially tricky away day at St. James' Park, desperate to win out their remaining two league fixtures.
Tottenham fans, on the other hand, will undoubtedly leave the ground tonight filled to the brim with confidence heading into clashes with Burnley and Norwich that will see their side viewed as the heavy favourite to take six points from six. Many will argue that Spurs are now in the driver's seat for the final place in Europe's top club competition next season, despite still sitting in fifth at the time of writing.
Arsenal hold their destiny in their own hands, but a huge win at home could potentially shift momentum and confidence into Spurs' lane.
Should Tottenham go on to usurp Arsenal for fourth spot, it would mark the sixth consecutive Premier League season in which they finished ahead of the Gunners, which would be a sight for sore eyes as Spurs look to keep their own building project alive and kicking to establish a new narrative in north London.
