AAP Soccer

Arsenal survive Spurs' fightback to boost title charge

By AAP Newswire

Apr 29, 2024

Arsenal's Declan Rice celebrates at the home of rivals Spurs after their crucial 3-2 win. -AP

Arsenal have weathered a grandstand finish to move a step closer to the title with a potentially season-defining 3-2 victory at Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham.

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The Gunners held a one-point lead over Manchester City ahead of Sunday's clash but all eyes were on whether Mikel Arteta's men could pass this latest stern test and they did just that to remain at the summit going into May.

A Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg own goal gave Arsenal the perfect start after 15 minutes and, not long after Micky van de Ven had an equaliser ruled out for offside, Bukayo Saka made it 2-0.

Saka's classy 27th-minute finish after a slick counter-attack put the visitors in cruise control and when Kai Havertz continued his great form with a 13th goal of the season from another set-piece, the Gunners were in dreamland.

Tottenham produced a stirring second-half response, albeit after being given a helping hand by their bitter rivals after goalkeeper David Raya chipped calamitously straight to Cristian Romero, who reduced the deficit with 26 minutes left.

When Declan Rice fouled Ben Davies inside the area and Son Heung-min fired home with three minutes left it set up a dramatic finale, but Arsenal held on to claim a crucial win from their 35th league match of the season.

This was arguably the biggest north London derby since Arsenal won the league at White Hart Lane in 2004 and the visitors went into the game on the back of a thumping 5-0 win against Chelsea.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press