Only 146 seconds separated Alli’s second-half opener and Kane converting from the penalty spot as Spurs moved 17 points clear of the Gunners and made it mathematically impossible for their rivals to close the gap.

Tottenham’s victory was only tarnished by Chelsea’s emphatic 3-0 win at Everton earlier in the day, which means they could just reduce the difference at the top back to four points.

Chelsea have Middlesbrough, West Brom, Watford and Sunderland left to play and this could well prove the day Antonio Conte’s men tightened their grip on the trophy.

There was little sign of disappointment for Spurs fans, however, who have not toasted finishing a league season above Arsenal since 1995, an achievement made all the more sweet given it came in the final run of this fixture at this current ground.

Tottenham confirmed on Friday they will move to Wembley next season, making this the last north London derby at White Hart Lane before the club opens its new stadium in August 2018.

For Arsene Wenger’s men, the challenge of sneaking into the top four has become even more acute.

They now sit five points behind Manchester City and four back on Manchester United, albeit having played one game less than both, with next weekend’s match at home to United now taking on even greater significance.

Mousa Dembele’s ankle injury meant he was fit enough only for a place on the bench as Eric Dier partnered Victor Wanyama in midfield.

Laurent Koscielny shook off a knee problem to start at the centre of an Arsenal back three while Aaron Ramsey came in for Francis Coquelin.

Kane tested Petr Cech with an early shot from the angle but Arsenal were comfortable in the first 20 minutes, disciplined in defence and determined up front to stop Spurs playing out from the back.

Two Tottenham chances, however, arrived in the space of two minutes and they should have scored from both. First, Alli nodded Kane’s deflected shot wide at the back post and then it was Son Heung-min’s effort that ricocheted invitingly into the air but this time Christian Eriksen volleyed over with the goal gaping.

That was as close as Spurs came in the opening period and in fact it was Arsenal who finished the stronger, Ramsey stretching Hugo Lloris with a guided shot towards the far corner before the unusually quiet Alexis Sanchez bent one wide of the back post.

Wanyama and Olivier Giroud both fired off shots at the start of the second period, the former’s tipped over, the latter’s ballooning high without any extra intervention.

But just before the hour-mark, Tottenham came to life.

It began with Eriksen dancing his way through Arsenal’s defence, and while Cech blocked the Dane’s angled finish, Alli was on hand to slot home his 17th league goal of the season.

Pochettino had barely stopped pumping his fists when Spurs doubled their lead, Gabriel sticking a lazy leg out to bring down Kane in the penalty area and the striker stepping up to to convert his sixth goal in five games against this opposition.

Tottenham smelt blood and soon went looking for a third. Jan Vertonghen’s curling shot had to be palmed away by Cech and Arsenal were fortunate not to concede another penalty when Sanchez blocked Son’s flick with his arm.

Toby Alderweireld sent Cech diving into the air again with a bullet header from a corner late on and Arsenal never looked like mounting a comeback.

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Source: Talksport

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Mauricio Pochettino selected Heung-min Son to lead the Spurs attack in the absence of his key man and the alteration translated into three points as Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli flourished at White Hart Lane.

Spurs got the ball rolling when Moussa Dembele turned his marker, before slipping in Eriksen to take aim on goal. And the Dane collected the ball seamlessly, finding the far corner with an arrowed finish.

Alli, at his menacing best, was pulling the Saints defence wherever he pleased, and a careless tackle by Steven Davis gifted the hosts a chance to double their lead from the penalty spot.

After being clipped in the box, Alli took responsibility from the spot as he sent Fraser Forster the wrong way, leaving Spurs in total command.

But Southampton should have had a penalty of their own on the stroke of half time as Ben Davies clattered into Dusan Tadic when attempting to clear his lines.

The Welsh international, deputising for the injured Danny Rose, gave Tadic an almighty whack in the thigh, but referee Andre Marriner judged the incident to be accidental and not worthy of a whistle.

Claude Puel’s side, however, were the benefactors of an uncharacteristic mistake from former defender Toby Alderweireld, as James Ward-Prowse capitalised at the back post following good work from Ryan Bertrand early in the second half.

The Saints pressed for a second but Pochettino’s men showed why they have the joint-best defensive record in the league, as they held out for a 10th consecutive home league win at White Hart Lane.

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Source: Talksport

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Spurs looked on course to recover from their midweek Champions League exit when Christian Eriksen’s superb 11th minute strike put them in front.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side were completely dominant until the closing seconds of the first half when Pedro curled in a spectacular right-foot effort to draw Chelsea level.

And Spurs’ miserable record at Stamford Bridge was extended to 30 games without a win – dating back to February 1990 – after Victor Moses scored what proved to be the winner six minutes after the restart.

Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris and Jan Vertonghen both got touches on Moses’ goal-bound strike but the ball flew in as Chelsea recorded a seventh league victory in succession.

When Chelsea lost 3-0 to Arsenal on 24 September – a scoreline that flattered them – Conte’s side dropped to 10th in the table, eight points behind then leaders Manchester City.

Conte was highly emotional in his post-match briefing but promised to put matters right. The Italian has been as good as his word and he has presided over a remarkable transformation.

He switched to three at the back, which has left no place for captain John Terry but has made surprise £30m summer signing David Luiz look more comfortable than in his first spell at Stamford Bridge.

Conte has also brought the best out of Pedro, who had struggled at Chelsea after his move from Barcelona, while Diego Costa is a warrior whose eyes are now right on the ball rather than opponents.

Chelsea look a solid, dangerous, formidable outfit and that desperate day at Emirates Stadium seems an age away after these seven straight league wins.

Victor Moses seemed destined for life away from Stamford Bridge after a succession of loan spells following his £9m move from Wigan Athletic in August 2012.

The 25-year-old had only made 23 appearances and scored one goal for Chelsea before this season and had stints at Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham United before Conte took charge at Stamford Bridge.

Conte’s tactical reshuffling saw Moses employed as a right wing-back in his new defensive system, the catalyst for an unlikely revival that has seen him emerge as one of Chelsea’s most important players.

Moses is utilising his attacking qualities to give Chelsea width while also revelling in his more defensive duties, adding a new dimension to his own game and rewarding a manager who has complete trust in him.

The crucial goal he scored here was just reward for another fine performance and he fully deserved the standing ovation he was given when he was substituted.

This loss in a game they controlled serenely for almost 45 minutes concludes a desperate week for Spurs and manager Pochettino.

The Argentine’s team selection for the defeat in Monaco that confirmed their Champions League elimination almost seemed to have one eye on this game – but two losses suggest the ploy has backfired.

Pochettino restored Jan Vertonghen, Kyle Walker and Christian Eriksen here and while the Dane put Spurs ahead they ran out of steam and ideas after Pedro equalised in the dying seconds of the first half.

Now Pochettino must pick up his disappointed players.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte: “I am satisfied with the way we fought back. These games are difficult. It was a tough game with a lot of intensity.

“Tottenham started well. It’s not easy to go down 1-0 but I am pleased with the performance and reaction. Now it’s important to continue the work.

“It’s too early to talk of the title. This league is very tough. Tottenham showed in this league there are six or seven teams that can win the title. It’s important to continue in this way and improve the confidence.”

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino: “If we analyse the game we were better. We competed very well and we were a bit unlucky to concede…never 1-1 at half-time. The second half we conceded a goal very early.

“We are disappointed but we need to be pleased for the performance and the way we competed against a very good team.”

Chelsea travel to Manchester City next Saturday for a clash between first and joint-second in the Premier League. Tottenham are at home against Swansea on the same day.

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Source: BBC

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