Mourinho rails against penalty decision but Gunners worthy winners over subdued Spurs

Jose Mourinho believes only Arsenal season ticket holders would claim the Gunners deserved the winning penalty they were awarded, which completed a comeback win for Mikel Arteta's men in the north London derby.

Michael Oliver's decision to penalise Davinson Sanchez for the penalty-box lunge on Alexander Lacazette was controversial because the striker had already shanked his shot well wide when the Spurs defender clattered into him.

But VAR upheld the decision and Lacazette tucked the spot-kick away beautifully to make it 2-1 to Arsenal.

Yet, however hard-done by the Spurs boss felt, he could have few real complaints about the outcome, as his side were strangely subdued throughout and only really roused themselves in the final 10 minutes as they chased the game with 10 men.

Erik Lamela, who gave Tottenham the lead with an outrageous rabona, blotted his copybook by picking up two yellows - the second an arm in the face of Kieran Tierney - and he was sent off in the 76th minute.

There was a below-par showing from Gareth Bale, who was eventually hooked, an injury to Heung-Min Son which forced the South Korean off, and Harry Kane only came to life towards the end, having a fine headed goal ruled out for offside and a free-kick that was smashed against a post.

Kane has terrorised Arsenal in these derbies but was unable to add to his outstanding goals record against Tottenham's bitter rivals.

Arsenal looked motivated and played with fire in their bellies. They hit the post twice in the first half through Emile Smith Rowe and Cedric Soares and made it look as if it was the visitors, rather than them, who had travelled back from Greece after a Thursday night Europa League match.

They were deservedly level before the break when Martin Odegaard turned in a cross which took a deflection to beat Hugo Lloris.

It was a fine afternoon at Emirates Stadium for Arteta and his side, especially as they played without Pierre Emerick Aubameyang - their skipper left out for unspecified disciplinary reasons.

The loss damages Tottenham's pursuit of a top four finish and it is a decade since they last won away to their rivals. They have also dropped a staggering 45 points from winning positions against Arsenal in the Premier League era.

Arsenal are still off the pace in terms of European qualification but this was an afternoon for them to relish and they are now four points behind Spurs..