Eberechi Eze's Hat-Trick Seals 4-1 Arsenal Win Over Tottenham in Historic North London Derby

When Eberechi Eze lifted his arms to the Emirates Stadium rafters after his third goal, the noise didn’t just shake the stands—it echoed through Premier League history. On Sunday, November 24, 2024, Arsenal Football Club crushed Tottenham Hotspur Football Club 4-1 in the fiercest rivalry in English football, extending their league lead to six points and handing their rivals a fifth straight defeat. Eze, the 26-year-old Nigerian playmaker wearing No. 10, became the first Arsenal player in nearly 50 years to score a hat-trick against their North London rivals. The match wasn’t just a win—it was a statement.

A Statement Made in Three Goals

It started with a flash. In the 15th minute, Leandro Trossard ghosted past two defenders and tucked home a low finish off a clever through ball from Mikel Merino. The goal wasn’t flashy, but it was perfectly timed—exactly what Arsenal needed to break Tottenham’s early pressure. By halftime, Eze had turned the game into a solo exhibition. His first goal came from a cutback by Jurrien Timber, who surged forward like a fullback on a mission. Eze, with a flick of his left foot, sent the ball curling into the far corner. His second, just five minutes after the restart, was pure instinct: a one-touch finish after a darting run from deep, leaving Tottenham Hotspur Football Club’s defense in tatters.

The Mirage of Hope—And How It Vanished

For a fleeting 10 minutes, Richarlison gave Tottenham fans something to cheer. In the 65th minute, he collected a loose ball 25 yards out, spun away from Martin Zubimendi, and unleashed a rocket that flew past David Raya’s outstretched hand. The goal was sublime—a moment of individual brilliance in a team performance that had collapsed. But hope, as it often does in North London derbies, proved fragile. Just 13 minutes later, Trossard slipped a pass through the middle, and Eze, calm as a man stepping onto a balcony, drilled it low into the net. No celebration. No theatrics. Just cold, clinical efficiency.

OptaJoe confirmed it: this was the first hat-trick by an Arsenal player against Tottenham since George Armstrong in 1975. That’s almost half a century. And this wasn’t luck. Eze took three shots on target—all finished. He completed 89% of his passes, won 11 duels, and created two clear chances. When paininthearsenal.com gave him a 9/10, calling him “the missing link in Arsenal’s attacking puzzle,” they weren’t exaggerating.

Who Carried the Load?

While Eze stole the headlines, the win was built on collective discipline. Trossard was relentless—9/10 from paininthearsenal.com, 8/10 from Goal.com—for his work rate, his timing, his willingness to track back. Jurrien Timber didn’t just assist Eze’s second goal—he disrupted Tottenham’s entire right flank, forcing Djed Spence into constant errors. Even Mikel Merino, who won 23 duels—a match high—wasn’t just a destroyer. His assist to Trossard was a piece of art: a first-time, outside-of-the-boot pass that split three defenders.

Meanwhile, Tottenham’s midfield—Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice—looked lost. Rice, usually so composed, was hurried into mistakes. Zubimendi, after a solid first half, gave away possession too often. And the defense? A mess. David Raya wasn’t at fault for Eze’s first two goals—he was just the unfortunate last line. But his 6/10 rating from Goal.com? Fair. He was outdone by Richarlison’s wonder strike and looked hesitant on set pieces.

What This Means for Both Clubs

For Arsenal, this win isn’t just about points. It’s about belief. They’re now 24 matches unbeaten at home since January 2023—the longest active streak in the Premier League. They’ve outscored opponents 32-8 at the Emirates this season. With Mikel Arteta’s system clicking on all cylinders, they’re not just leading the table—they’re building a legacy. Eze’s hat-trick? It’s the kind of performance that turns a talented squad into champions.

For Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, it’s a crisis. Manager Thomas Frank, appointed just three weeks ago on November 1, 2024, now faces five straight losses. The team looks disjointed, mentally fragile, and tactically confused. Their attack—once feared—has scored just once in their last three away games. The fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium are already murmuring about a change. And with a trip to West Ham United looming on November 30, the pressure is mounting.

What’s Next?

Arsenal host Manchester United on December 1—a game that could seal their dominance in the title race. If they win, they’ll be nine points clear with only six games left before the winter break. Eze, now a fan favorite, will be the focal point. Meanwhile, Tottenham must fix their defense, rediscover their identity, and hope their players don’t lose faith. The gap between these two clubs has never been wider.