•Eberechi Eze (L)
Eberechi Eze delivered a sensational performance in his Premier League North London Derby debut, scoring a stunning hat-trick to lead Arsenal to a commanding 4–1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur yesterday.
Eze’s treble makes him the first Arsenal player since 1978 to score a hat-trick against Spurs. He also becomes the first Englishman to score in his first league North London Derby for Arsenal since Ian Wright and Kevin Campbell in 1991, reports AFP.
Arsenal began brightly and took the lead in the 36th minute when Leandro Trossard latched onto a clever lob from Mikel Merino before his low strike deflected off a Spurs defender and rolled into the net.
Eze doubled the advantage five minutes later, receiving a pass from Declan Rice, weaving through two challenges, and firing a shot that beat the goalkeeper despite a strong hand.
Just one minute into the second half, Eze struck again—this time meeting a pass from Jurrien Timber and finishing with a clinical low effort to make it 3–0.
Tottenham momentarily fought back in the 55th minute as Richarlison scored with a superb long-range lob over David Raya following a midfield turnover by Martin Zubimendi.
But Arsenal restored their three-goal cushion in the 76th minute when Trossard broke forward from a long ball and found Eze, who danced past his marker and curled a precise finish into the far corner to complete his hat-trick.
The win sends Arsenal six points clear of second-placed Chelsea in the Premier League table.
Speaking after the game, Eze said, “That was the prayer today. God gave it to me and that is faith, man. All my family is here and that makes it even more special for me.
It is special. Words can’t explain this one today.”
