Painful derby defeat for Gunners

A goal from Dele Alli and a Harry Kane penalty gave Tottenham North London bragging rights and left Arsenal's top four hopes hanging by a thread.

Although the penalty decision was frustrating, Tottenham fully deserved their win and could have scored further goals had it not been for a mixture of poor finishing from them and some fine goalkeeping by Petr Cech.

We have enjoyed the dominance over our arch rivals for over 20 years and, although it is tough to admit, they have been the better side this season and deserve to have got the win that secured they will definitely finish above us for the first time since 1995.

The tide seems to be turning now and if Spurs keep up their form this could be the start of a shift in dominance, so it is up to us to make sure we put things right next season and in the next derby fixtures.

The chance to have put a big dent in their title bid, as well as to take advantage of the two Manchester clubs dropping point, should have been enough motivation to fire us up for a strong display. Instead, not only did we lose, but the majority of our players were simply not good enough at White Hart Lane. Cech kept us in it with some great goalkeeping and Aaron Ramsey worked his socks off, but very few of the other players did much of note, which was very disappointing.

Tottenham started strongly and came close inside the opening minute as Kane got a shot away, but Cech was able to gather it at the second attempt.

Spurs continued to enjoy the better of the chances and had they not missed what appeared to be two sitters they could have been out of sight earlier in the match. Alli failed to convert Kane's deflected shot from close range, although Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain deserves credit for getting back brilliant to challenge him for the ball and put him off. How on earth it wasn't 1-0 to Spurs after 25 minutes only Christian Eriksen will know. The Danish midfielder latched onto Son Heung-min's deflected cross, but somehow hammered his volley against the crossbar when it looked far easier to have scored.

Arsenal's best moment of the first half came seven minutes before the break when Ramsey's low curling effort from outside of the box was superbly tipped wide for a corner by Hugo Lloris.

The final chance of the half fell to Jan Vertonghen in first-half stoppage time, but the Spurs' defender saw his effort well beaten away by Cech.

Two goals in three minutes deflated Arsenal and saw Spurs strengthen their grip on the game. Cech did excellently to tip Victor Wanyama's effort over the bar, but he was unable to prevent the two goals that followed soon after. With the second half just 10 minutes old Eriksen beat two defenders before being denied by Cech and Alli was on hand to calmly slot home the rebound.

Spurs doubled their advantage from the penalty spot after Kane was adjudged to have been fouled by Gabriel in box. I felt the contact was minimal and the way Kane went down would suggest more of a challenge than the very slight contact I believed there to be. It seemed very harsh, but was still given, and Kane made no mistake from the spot to put Spurs in control.

Cech produced a fine save to parry an effort from Vertonghen before Spurs were appealing for another penalty for an alleged handball against Alexis Sanchez.

Tottenham were definitely on top and could have added a further goal had Cech not reacted quickly to block Kane's effort. Cech had to be alert again soon after as he produced another great save to keep out Toby Alderweireld's header.

It was hard to see any way back for Arsenal, who had created very little in attack. A decent attacking move from Arsenal could have set up a nervy finish, but substitute Theo Walcott hit his effort straight at Lloris.

It was certainly a bad day at the office for sixth-placed Arsenal, who are six points away from fourth albeit with a game in hand.

OPPOSITION VIEW
Tottenham fans Adrian Drakes and Anthony Rayment were understandably happy to see their side assert dominance over their bitter rivals.

"It was a good game from our perspective, but must have been painful for large parts for Arsenal supporters," said Drakes. "One of the few games I can remember where we were on top for just about the whole game and I was surprised Arsenal had so few genuine chances.

"Two clear penalties, one of which was given, and with all the good stops Cech made he was probably man of the match which says a lot.

"Very good day and a fitting final Derby for the Lane. Apparently Arsenal now can't finish ahead of us, just like every other year I simply don't care, but it should at least keep Arsenal quiet on that front for a year!

"Still not mathematical for second yet so we need to get more points before we can back off. May as well get the seeded Champions League spot that comes from second and it might help show some team progress and increase revenue from our stadium naming rights negotiations, certainly can't hurt."

Rayment added: "After two decades of finishing below Arsenal it was actually quite an anti-climax to finish above the Gooners.

"As it seemed inevitable The two teams just seem to be going in completely different directions at the moment and even Arsenal fans have to accept that at this moment in time Spurs are the better side.

"I think Spurs showed the extra strength on the ball and awareness of where their team mates were. Whereas Arsenal seemed a bit lost without a gameplan fit for the match they were in.

"Arsenal never seem to work to a plan and just put in off the cuff performances hoping for the best. My only concern once the second goal went in was that Sanchez would do something magical to make things interesting, but in reality Arsenal never really threatened.

"Spurs were the better team and have been for most of the season. Man to man they have flaws but Tottenham play as a team. Arsenal have a bunch of players with a similar skillset whom can play flashy one two passing but as a team they cannot adapt to different circumstances and dig in when required.

"Thought today it was a fair result. Although next year at Wembley all bets are off. Shout out to Cech as he made some great saves."

MY FINAL THOUGHTS
You can't win them all and sometimes defeats, even derby defeats, can be taken on the chin, but it was the manner of the performance that hurt more than the result at White Hart Lane.

We didn't test Lloris nearly enough and looked off the pace. Credit to Tottenham for their performance, but we were not good enough. Although fourth still wouldn't be great, as we would still be far off the pace in the title race, securing Champions League football is a must and we face a tough uphill battle to even achieve that.

If we can finish strongly and win our remaining five games there is still hope of snatching fourth, but we also have to rely on other results. But it doesn't get any easier for the Gunners with the next match another huge challenge - the visit of Manchester United. We always find matches against them difficult and don't have the best record against Jose Mourinho either. No matter what happens one thing is for sure - Arsene Wenger and the players owe us one hell of a performance against Manchester United!

COME ON YOU GUNNERS