Spurs fans stream home with ten minutes to go 

FA Premier League 

ARSENAL 3 (Partey 20, Jesus 49, Xhaka 67)
SPURS 1 (Kane pen 31)

ARSENAL have refused to relinquish top spot with a deserved victory over Tottenham in the early Saturday kick off.

Fans can sit back and relax for the rest of the weekend after a classy and dominant performance, helped by a red card for Emerson Royal, proved too much for Conte’s counterattack-only Tottenham.

The party began with a thunderbolt from Thomas Partey.

In one of the great north London derby goals, the midfield general swept into the top corner from outside the box.

It was the third attempt at a long range strike at that point following a pass along the face, this time Ben White had provided the pass after good work from Saka.

Spurs dangerous front row trio had always looked a threat on the counter but Arsenal played some superb controlling football particularly in the first 20 minutes.

However, the pendulum swung in the visitor’s favour for a brief spell before half time.

Harry Kane scored from the spot after Gabriel clipped Richarlison in a clear foul.

Granit Xhaka was arguably at fault after missing an opportunity to clear.

There was high tension until a blissful bungle from Hugo Lloris allowed Gabriel Jesus to tap in. It looked a foul at first but replays showed the keeper let the ball slip through his legs.

Gabriel moments later spurned a great chance to make it 3-1, seconds after tumbling in the box in what was looked a good shout for a penalty.

It was another big shift by the Arsenal number 9 whose divine first touches and powerful drives had the fans on their feet several times.

Every time you watch him it feels like he deserves a hat-trick.

The derby had turned back in Arsenal’s favour but Son, Kane and Richarlison were starting to gel again.

At that point 2-2 looked likely. But Royal was shown a straight red after a disgusting stamp on Martinelli’s ankle.

Banners were unveiled at both ends of the stadium before the derby 

Xhaka made it 3-1, burying a low drive past Lloris after good work from Martinelli.

The former defensive midfielder is relishing his new role in the Gunners attack. He took home the man of the match award, although his scorpion kick attempt in the first half was perhaps a sign of over-confidence.

There was a huge explosion of noise, and sense relief, when Xhaka’s goal scored in what had been a horribly tense tie.

Although Bukayo Saka did not get many clear cut chances, the midfielder had a solid game.

He has a very different style to Martinelli, who deserved a goal after electric runs and shots caused havoc throughout.

Both are very effective in their different ways.

Mr Dependable Aaron Ramsdale made a good save from Richarlison after a clever free kick in the first half.

Conte tried to shake it up making four subs at once.  But Arsenal saw out the last 20 minutes in total control.

Arsenal: Ramsdale, White (Tomiyasu), Partey (Lokonga), Gabriel, Saka, Odegaard (Vieira), Jesus (Nketiah), Martinelli, Saliba, Xhaka, Zinchenko (Tierney). 

Substitutes not used: Turner, Nketiah, Holding, Vieira, Nelson, Marquinhos.

Spurs: Lloris, Hojbjerg (Skipp), Son (Doherty), Richarlison (Sessegnon), Kane, Royal, Perisic (Bissouma), Dier, Romero, Bentacur, Lenglet (Sanchez) 

Not used: Forster, Gil, Specnce, Sarr  

Attendance 60,278