Tottenham player ratings vs Arsenal: Matt Doherty a weak link for Spurs; Gareth Bale quiet in derby defeat

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Dan Kilpatrick @Dan_KP14 March 2021

Tottenham went down 2-1 to rivals Arsenal to end their Spring renaissance and leave manager Jose Mourinho facing fresh scrutiny.

Substitute Erik Lamela opened the scoring against the run of play with one of the best goals in the history of this fixture, a brilliant left-footed rabona which flew through Thomas Partey’s legs on the way into the bottom corner.

Arsenal deservedly equalised moments before half-time through Martin Odegaard’s deflected strike and Alexandre Lacazette scored the winner from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Davinson Sanchez.

Spurs finished with 10 men after Lamela was sent off for two bookable offences, the second an arm to Kieran Tierney’s face.

Here’s how Dan Kilpatrick rated Jose Mourinho’s side at Emirates Stadium…

Hugo Lloris 5

Footwork was jittery and guilty of a rush of blood in the first half. Undone by a deflection for Arsenal’s first goal and dived the wrong way for penalty.

Matt Doherty 3

Easily beaten by Tierney for Arsenal’s opening goal in a dismal performance. The hosts had the run of his flank and he looked nervy and was positionally poor throughout.

Davinson Sanchez 6

An impressive performance was undone by a clumsy foul for the penalty. There was an element of misfortune in the decision as he took out Lacazette after the Frenchman had already miscued the chance.

Toby Alderweireld 5

Looked uncomfortable playing out, faced with Arsenal’s press. Unlucky that Odegaard’s strike deflected in off him.

Sergio Reguilon 5

Barely had any opportunities to get forward and hurt Arsenal in the final third. Challenged by the lively Bukayo Saka in the first half.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 4

Should have been fresh after a mid-week rest but was sloppy by his high standards, conceding too many fouls and carelessly losing possession. In his defence, he had to spend more time than usual covering Doherty.

Tanguy Ndombele 5

Tried to calm things down and get Spurs on the ball but his passing radar was off and he fluffed at least one good counter-attacking position. Looks tired.

Gareth Bale 4

Offered little in the way of protection for Doherty or penetration in the final third. Put in one impressive run at start of second half before being hooked.

Lucas Moura 7

Worked hard and looked the most likely Spurs player to create something as they pushed for a late equaliser, running at Arsenal impressively. Set pieces were decent too.

Heung-min Son 5

Barely had a sniff before pulling up with a suspected hamstring injury. Any absence would be a major blow for Spurs given the schedule and his importance to Mourinho’s side.

Harry Kane 6

Had a lovely, trademark goal correctly disallowed for offside and hit the post with a great free kick. One gorgeous cross should have resulted in an assist and he worked hard.

Substitutes

Erik Lamela (Son ‘19) 7

Peak Lamela. Lit up a drab Spurs performance with a stunning rabona goal but sent off for two bookable offences. Second looked harsh.

Moussa Sissoko (Bale 57’) 4

Presumably brought on to help cover Doherty but offered nothing going forward and little defensively, either.

Dele Alli (Ndombele 62’) 5

Could not get into the game and barely had a memorable touch.

Not used: Hart, Winks, Dier, Sissoko, Aurier, Davies, Vinicius.

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