Tottenham vs Arsenal player ratings: Son runs the show for Spurs as Mustafi’s old ways come back to haunt him

Man-for-man marking from the final north London derby of the campaign as Spurs secure three crucial points in the race for European football next season

Tottenham Hotspur secured the bragging rights in the north London derby to all but end Arsenal’s hopes of finishing inside the top five with a 2-1 home victory on Sunday afternoon.

The victory ensures Jose Mourinho’s side leapfrog their rivals in the league table, moving up to eighth at their expense, which leaves Mikel Arteta needing help from elsewhere if the Gunners are to return to European football next season.

Arsenal took the lead early in the first half after a poor decision from Serge Aurier allowed Granit Xhaka to steal possession and tee-up Alexandre Lacazette, who produced a fierce finish to beat Hugo Lloris.

But the lead did not last long as fewer than three minutes later Spurs were level.

A mistake from Sead Kolasinac saw the defender mis-place his attempted pass to David Luiz, which allowed Son Heung-min to steal in and pinch possession before comfortably beating Emiliano Martinez.

The score would remain level through to the final 10 minutes, when Son turned provider to deliver a corner that was glanced home by centre-back Toby Alderweired to secure three points that maintains their own European aspirations at Arsenal’s expense.

So how did each player perform?

Tottenham Hotspur

Hugo Lloris – 6

Very good save from Aubameyang’s effort in the final quarter that looked destined for the far corner.

Serge Aurier – 5

Guilty of believing he was Lionel Messi as he attempted to run it out of the Spurs area, only to be mugged of possession by Xhaka that led to Lacazette’s opener. Booked after losing possession in similar circumstances after fouling Lacazette.

Davinson Sanchez – 6

Didn’t really put a foot wrong on an individual front, but collectively Spurs’s defence allowed Arsenal in a few too many times for Jose Mourinho to be happy.

Toby Alderweireld – 7

Did little of note until stamping his mark all over the derby by glancing Son’s corner in for the match-winner.

Ben Davies – 7

Rasping shot deflected off the crossbar after an impressive save from Martinez,

Moussa Sissoko – 5

Had an opportunity with the ball in a good area early on but was unable to do anything with it before the defence closed in.

Giovani Lo Celso – 6

Tottenham’s most creative force throughout the first half as he looked to release the trio in front of him, though his impact faded after the break.

Harry Winks – 6

Booked after conceding one too many fouls in the middle but overall gave his usual committed-if-unyielding performance.

Lucas Moura – 6

Forced Martinez into an early save, and proved a lively threat throughout, though one without any end product.

Son Heung-min – 8

Seized on Kolasinac’s error fast enough to make the most of the opportunity and level the scores. Put his corner in the perfect area for Alderweireld to convert for the winner.

Harry Kane – 7

His game-long battle with Martinez was an entertaining one with the Arsenal goalkeeper just about keeping Kane out, though his work-rate was impressive to keep the Arsenal defence on their toes and on another day could have bagged himself a couple of goals had it not been for the man in the sticks.

Arsenal

Emiliano Martinez – 7

Sloppy start with a poor pass to Bellerin gifted to Son, but deflected Davies’ effort onto the crossbar with an excellent save soon after and did well to stop Kane from chipping him too. Did well to rush off his line and smother the ball from the feet of Son as a second goal looked a certainty. Saved again from Kane before the corner where Spurs scored the winner.

Shkodran Mustafi – 5

Stood up well to Lucas Moura shortly after the restart, but could not repeat it when he rashly dived in and was beaten by Kane in a one-on-one duel, before diving in again that nearly cost Arsenal a third.

David Luiz – 5

Could do nothing about the poor pass from Kolasinac but it was obvious from the second Son seized on it that he wasn’t going to be able to rectify the situation.

Sead Kolasinac – 4

Sold David Luiz short to concede the hard-fought lead Arsenal had only just taken in the first half, and repeatedly put his teammates under pressure with negative and poorly-placed passes. Did little going forward.

Hector Bellerin – 5

Got forward well and offered a lively right-side attack with Pepe, but that frequently left Arsenal exposed behind and Spurs certainly made the most of that.

Dani Ceballos – 6

Controlled the game from midfield with the most touches of any player in either side, and showed good awareness to release Pepe with a delicate backheel.

Granit Xhaka – 6

Good harassment of Aurier led to winning back possession and teeing up Lacazette to score the opener.

Kieran Tierney – 5

Offered a strong attacking outlet going forwards but wasn’t able to find the right crosses to pick out his teammates in the box. Solid defensively.

Nicholas Pepe – 5

Tested Lloris shortly before the break, but didn’t threaten as much as his work rate suggested. Replaced after the second drinks break by Bukayo Saka.

Alexandre Lacazette – 7

Fiercely-struck snapshot caught out Hugo Lloris with a cunningly-disguised short back-swing. Played a smart ball in for Aubameyang in the second half but strike-partner could not take his opportunity.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 5

His first real chance saw him completely miss the ball, and the skipper was guilty of trying to lash home a chance as hard as he could after being played in by Lacazette, which cannoned off the post.