Premier League 2025-26: Eze’s hat-trick helps Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-1

Eberechi Eze scored a majestic hat-trick for Arsenal as they defeated north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 to open a commanding six-point lead at the top of the Premier League on Sunday.

For 36 minutes the derby was a cagey affair, with Tottenham frustrating Mikel Arteta’s side, but the hosts struck three times in 10 minutes either side of half-time.

Leandro Trossard broke the deadlock from close range before Eze, the player Arsenal snatched in a summer transfer battle with Tottenham, slotted home Arsenal’s second goal after 41 minutes.

The second half was just seconds old when Eze again found space on the edge of the area to send another shot inside the post and give his side full control.

Tottenham were stunningly given a lifeline out of nowhere in the 55th minute when Richarlison lobbed Arsenal keeper David Raya from the center circle.

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The visitor posed more of a threat in the second half, but Arsenal never really seemed to be in trouble, and Eze completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with another clinical finish.

Arsenal, unbeaten in nine league games, have 29 points from twelve games, with Chelsea in second place on 23. Tottenham’s first away defeat of the season leaves the team in ninth place with 18 points.

Eze was at the center of a summer transfer battle between the two north London clubs, with Arsenal snatching the former Crystal Palace from under its rival’s nose.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, the England international rubbed Tottenham the wrong way on Sunday as he lit up his first North London derby in scintillating fashion.

Tottenham have been impressive away from home under new manager Thomas Frank, with no defeats and only three goals conceded in the Premier League before Sunday.

Frank pitched his side conservatively for his first taste of the derby, thinking not about entertainment but about control.

Three centre-backs, two midfielders and deep wing-backs limited Arsenal to just one real chance in the opening half hour, with Eze’s curled pass from Declan Rice and Guglielmo Vicario’s volley well saved.

AS IT HAPPENED – ARS VS TO HIGHLIGHTS

Vicario was not called to serious action again until the 33rd minute when he jumped to the right to prevent a Bukayo Saka free kick.

But the breakthrough came shortly afterwards when Arsenal found space in the Tottenham area for once with Mikel Merino’s chipped pass controlled by Trossard with his back to goal.

The Belgian was tapped and his shot on the turn went past Micky van de Ven, leaving Vicario without a chance.

Tottenham’s negative game plan fell apart when Eze turned to the edge of the area and fired a low shot through a crowd and past Vicario.

The visitor sent on attacking midfielder Xavi Simons at half-time, but within seconds of the restart it was effectively a match as once again Eze was given too much time and he smashed a shot past Vicario.

Tottenham had not landed a glove on Arsenal for 55 minutes but scored with its first shot on target when Joao Palhinha won the ball just inside Arsenal’s half and Richarlison, spotting Raya off his line, drove a shot into the net from 45 yards.

It maintained Tottenham’s record of scoring in every away derby at Arsenal since 2017 and was reinvigorated for a while.

But all hopes of a comeback ended when Eze found space again and his finish was sublime.

Published on November 24, 2025