Spurs 2 Arsenal 1; a win, power cut and plenty of alcohol.

Spurs 2 Arsenal 1; a win, power cut and plenty of alcohol.

Well, that was something we needed… and against the Arse… sorry, Arsenal (ok, I am not sorry). I hope this is now a climb up the ladder? I accept it is too late for this season (maybe a Europea League place), but next season will be the deciding season for Mourinho and his team. And of course for Levy, if he wants the riches of a Champions League place (then he must invest in the side).

Toby Alderweireld, along with Son, on the night were our heroes. It was the late header by Toby that gave us a victory over our North London opponents and sneak thieves who are squatting on our turf.

Before preparing my computer for the game, I made myself a Pot Noodle (yes, the great skill of pouring kettled water – hot – into the pot, it takes skill) and a glass of Lager (notice the switch from wine to a pint… or pints). Then went upstairs… suddenly we had a power cut. Shit! But it lasted a few minutes… (thank God for that!) Back to preparing… then, just as quickly… another power cut in quick succession. This time my power didn't come back on until half time. Yes, I missed the entire bloody-first half. I did switch to my iPhone/ Radio, but the signal was weak, and I didn't get anything… I had no other choice but to go downstairs to read a book…  At five-fifteen, the power came back on (hurray! At last)… I rushed upstairs – with my Pot Noodle and a Lager - and sat comfortably for the second half. With fingers crossed! At the same time as eating and drinking (yes, it’s a gift! I am a person of many talents, none any good, but talents nevertheless).

Of course, watching it on TV and no crowds creates a spooky feeling, as it did with all the lockdown games (can’t wait until we get back to normality). Even more so with our vast Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, nevertheless, this was still a ferociously -competitive derby in the custom of our great rivalry as we both battled for a place in Europe next season. That is Europa League… which is something Arsenal are more used to than us, I might add.

The Gooners took the lead after 16 minutes when Alexandre Lacazette's shot past Hugo Lloris and into the net. But we were level within three minutes when Son took advantage of bad defending by Sead Kolasinac and David Luiz to score with an excellent chip. We had equalised. Unfortunately, I didn't see it; however, I did see it in the highlights. But the rest, no problem… I did, though, keep popping to the kitchen to be topped up with Lager (and adding a tin of Tuna into my pot noodle… to make it go longer).

Both sides had chances to force victory with Davies denied when his 30-yard drive was turned on to the bar by Arsenal keeper Emiliano Martinez in the first half. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also struck the cross-bar after the break.

Arsenal had the more significant share of possession, but it was we who struck nine minutes from time when Alderweireld glanced in Son's corner, securing a win that leaves us in eighth place, two points ahead of the Gooners.

Thoughts

We showed our mettle to secure a significant win.

Mourinho was obviously under pressure to produce a significant result after recent poor performances, and here he did it with bells on. But one victory is not everything, we now need to build on that win and go forward and knock the remaining teams over like skittles.

We may not have had a more significant share of possession and territory. Still, we always carried a threat against a Gooners that was spirited and positive but who looked vulnerable at the back.

At least Mourinho's fighting team dug deep and struck just as the game looked to be heading for a draw to get three points to keep us right in the hunt for a place in Thursday-night-football. However, with the Manchester City ban being overturned it looks more unlikely that we will be in Europe at all.

This game will lift spirits after our pathetic loss against Sheffield United (they did also beat Chelsea) and even more miserable display against the struggling Cherries.

Still, we are nowhere near the lively team that reached last season's Champions League final, but we still have Son, who scored one goal and created another, and Harry Kane. But Mourinho isn’t out of the woods yet, he still has a lot more to do… hopefully, in the transfer window, where he will make some excellent and much-needed purchases (providing Levy is with him).

The stats

We (W4 D2) have gone unbeaten in six consecutive home league games against Arsenal for the first time since January 1968 (nine games).

Our 2-1 victory against Arsenal was the 10th time either side has come from behind to win this fixture in the Premier League (Tottenham 4, Arsenal 6).

Arteta is the first Arsenal manager to lose his first north London derby in the Premier League since Bruce Rioch in November 1995.

Mourinho has never lost a home game against Arsenal, winning six and drawing four of his 10 matches to date.

Only West Ham (24) have dropped more points from winning positions in the Premier League this season than Arsenal (21).

Lacazette became the first Arsenal player to score home and away against Spurs in a single Premier League season since Per Mertesacker in 2012-13.

Son has scored 13 goals in all competitions at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, more than any other player (Kane has 12).

Son is the first Tottenham player to both score and assist in a Premier League game versus Arsenal since Emmanuel Adebayor in February 2012.

What next?

We visit Newcastle on Wednesday (18:00 BST), while Arsenal host champions Liverpool later that day (20:15). Obviously, we need to win; however, it would be great if Liverpool can knock the stuffing out of the Gooners.

The Newcastle game is going to be tricky.  Before the Arsenal game, I would have said a draw and a draw against Leicester (our last home game) and probably a win against Palace… but the Arsenal result changes everything… well, hopefully, it changes things. I certainly don’t want to go back to what we had before – from the start of the season to lock down – and even before the Arsenal game. We need to be like clockwork, with a few editions.

As for me switching from wine to Lager… and then consuming quite a few glasses? I did say that the bottle I drank was forced on me by the way we played or didn’t play in our previous games. The Lager could be an excuse for the victory we had. Whatever way you look at it, Tottenham are driving me to drink. By the end of this season, I could be a blithering wreck (“Arent you already?” Very nearly… very nearly!). Bring on next season, stability and calmer times… I’ll drink to that!!!!!

Stay safe, pray for strength (for our team… and yourselves) and let us hope we end with a magnificent array of fireworks). May your chosen God go with you, and if you don’t believe then good health to all!

Yes… I am feeling uplifted… it doesn’t take much!

Best regards, Glenn