Maurico Pochettino: 'We showed from the beginning we had the passion and I am very pleased for the players'

Published: 7 February, 2015
by DAN CARRIER at White Hart Lane

Premier League
SPURS 2, ARSENAL 1

A HARRY Kane double secured three points for Spurs this afternoon in a north London derby victory that put the White Hart Lane side above Arsenal – and into the top four.

The forward struck two second-half goals as his team came from a goal behind. Speaking after the victory, home-grown Kane said: “To see the second fly in was special.

“We wanted it all over the pitch today, we played our football and scoring today was a feeling I will not forget for the rest of my career.”

Arsenal opened the proceedings on 11 minutes when Mesut Ozil found space in the box and looped a shot past Hugo Lloris. Spurs were caught looking for an offside that wasn't coming and it gave them a jolt. However, it was Arsenal's only real attack of note in a first half that saw Spurs dominate. A lack of composure when it mattered meant they failed to make their possession count – Kane, Danny Rose, Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason all went close but found David Ospina in Arsenal's goal equal to the efforts thrown at him. 

In the second period, Santi Cazorla tested Hugo Lloris, and Danny Welbeck also went close with a potshot, but a goal for the home side seemed inevitable after they continued to dominate possession.

On 55 minutes, Spurs won a corner after a Bentaleb drive was deflected wide. Eriksen popped the ball over, Ospina could only get a hand to it and Kane arrived at the back post to slot home. 

It was the signal for Spurs to lay siege. 

On 71 minutes, Eriksen drove a free-kick just over from around 30 yards and then Erik Lamela spooned a shot when he should have hit the target. Despite enjoying the larger share of possession, it looked like it may not be enough – until the 85th minute. Bentaleb saw Kane pull away from his marker, sent a perfect cross over and the young forward's extraordinary season just got even better as his header sailed back across the goal, leaving Ospina with no chance.

Kane added: “This was my first north London derby and to win the way we did was incredible. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight.”

His head coach, Maurico Pochettino, said he felt his side deserved the three points. He added: “We played with our heads – and our hearts. We showed from the beginning we had the passion and I am very pleased for the players.”