Key Moments in Tottenham’s away draw at the Emirates

Like all matches, the 2-2 North London Derby was determined by a few key moments.

Tottenham’s opener

Tottenham Hotspurs‘ first goal was just how you draw it up on paper. Off a short goal kick in the box Toby Alderweireld played it across to Jan Vertonghen who swung it back to Hugo Lloris. The Frenchman knocked it up field where Harry Kane won the flick for Hueng-Men Son, who dribbled at Arsenal’s defence with pace.

Sensing an opportunity, a hustling Erik Lamela scampered out behind the defence, flashing in front of Son who played a lovely pass for the Argentinian. Lamela squared up and surprisingly unleashed a nice right footed shot on goal. Leno had to reach back and could only parry the ball.

Christian Eriksen was alert and worked hard to be in position for the easiest of his 50 career goals in the Premier League. What a great time to get his first against Arsenal, coming in his 12th match against the Gunners. The great goal saw seven different Spurs touch the ball.

The VAR Handball Review that Wasn’t

Just into first half extra-time with the score still 0-2 in favour of Spurs. Arsenal had a free kick where Lacazette forced Lloris into a save that produced a rebound. The rebound fell to Danny Rose, and the ball appeared to have bounced down off his extended arm. Rose froze, the crowded groaned, yet no whistle was forthcoming.

Rose began to dribble up field and lost the ball as Tottenham was beginning to get back into position. The ball couldn’t be cleared, was recycled by Arsenal and eventually ended up with Lacazette punishing the away side.

Rose did nothing to prove his innocence, which I’m sure triggered a review. Arsenal scored and it was that momentary freeze and subsequent tentative sequence waiting for the whistle that cost Spurs. It only takes a momentary lapse in concentration to get stung at this level.

Yellows galore

Martin Atkinson handed out eight yellow cards during Sunday’s North London Derby, and missed some that could have turned the game. The first yellow went to Danny Rose on 27 minutes. He was never the same for the rest of the game, as his defensive play became more tentative. Lamela got the second at 31 minutes and it changed entirely the complexion of things.

Lamela is an aggressive player who likes to stick his nose and boot in. This approach leads to a lot of fouls, some of which are late and/or clumsy. When players like that get early yellow cards, it makes them way less effective.

Sokratis tried awfully hard to goad Harry Winks into a second yellow, when he American football tackled his way into a yellow of his own. Winks maintained his cool and was deservedly spared his marching orders.

Granit Xhaka’s foul on Son in the penalty box was deserving of a booking. Xhaka came in studs up, with two feet incredibly late; it was flagrant, abominable and his third foul of the young game. How it wasn’t a yellow I’ll never know.

Xhaka finished the game with seven fouls and still didn’t receive his yellow until the 91st minute. Given how easily everyone else was getting cards, to not see Xhaka get one for the penalty kick was absurd. And it gave Arsenal the advantage with the ability for Xhaka to be more aggressive.

Sissoko will never be able to finish

Spurs had relatively big chances at the end of both halves of the game, both falling to Moussa Sissoko. It would have prevented, had he scored on his first chance,  Lacazette from scoring. Then at the end of the game, he missed a chance that would have given his side all three points.

The first half miss was the kind of opportunity players dream about. But Sissoko leaned back and skied the ball well over and wide.

Likewise, at 95 minutes Kane was weaving back toward the middle of the field from the left wing on a quick counter. Sissoko was the second man behind him and Kane laid it right in his path. His first touch wasn’t bad, but he blasted the second touch over and wide of the goal as David Luiz came across.

Had Sissoko stopped, Luiz would have flown by and he could have easily passed the ball by Leno. Or he could have back heeled the ball to Eriksen for one last crack. Instead he blasted hopelessly wide.

Sissoko brings so much to the team it is hard to argue his consistent inclusion. However, one must wonder what Lucas Moura could have done with that type of chance. Why the Brazilian never came off the bench is anyone’s guess, as he could have added the scoring nous Spurs needed to come away from the Emirates with all three points.