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EPL: Eze hat-trick secures Arsenal’s dominant derby win over Spurs

Eberechi Eze stole the show as Arsenal demolished Tottenham Hotspur to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points.

The Nigerian winger scored a brilliant hat-trick, guiding the Gunners to a resounding victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank  opted for a five-man defensive setup to contain Arsenal’s attack, but his plan quickly unravelled under pressure from the league leaders.

Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the 36th minute, finishing expertly after a precise through ball from Mikel Merino.

Eze takes control

Just before halftime, Eze doubled Arsenal’s advantage with a composed strike, beating two defenders on the edge of the box before drilling the ball past Guglielmo Vicario.

The former Crystal Palace star had been close to joining Spurs over the summer, but instead became the hero for the Gunners.

Frank tried to alter the game at half-time, replacing defensive rigidity with Xavi Simons in an attempt to boost attacking intent.

His plan backfired instantly. Within 23 seconds of the restart, Eze curled a left-footed effort into the bottom corner, making it 3-0 and effectively putting the game beyond Spurs.

Arsenal seal the win

Tottenham briefly responded when Richarlison scored a stunning long-range effort, lifting the ball over the stranded David Raya.

However, Arsenal were unrelenting. Eze completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with another clinical finish, taking his place as the star of the match.

The victory gives Arsenal their largest points lead at this stage of a Premier League season and strengthens their quest for a first league title since 2004, following three consecutive second-place finishes.

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EPL: De Ligt snatches late equaliser for Man United after Spurs’ dramatic turnaround

Matthijs de Ligt scored deep into stoppage time to salvage a point for Manchester United in a tense Premier League clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Red Devils looked set to suffer another painful defeat to Spurs under Ruben Amorim after late goals from Mathys Tel and Richarlison overturned Bryan Mbeumo’s first-half header.

But De Ligt’s 96th-minute header from a Bruno Fernandes corner ensured United stretched their unbeaten run to five matches.

Drab first half sees Mbeumo break the deadlock

The match began with chaos as United goalkeeper Senne Lammens miscontrolled a backpass, conceding a corner within the opening minute.

That early scare set the tone for a sluggish first half dominated by misplaced passes and wasted chances.

Both sides struggled for possession, and despite Spurs’ electric midweek win over FC Copenhagen, Thomas Frank’s men looked uninspired.

His decision to bench Destiny Udogie and Wilson Odobert in favour of Djed Spence and Richarlison raised eyebrows, and it showed.

United capitalised on Spurs’ hesitancy in the 32nd minute. Pape Sarr failed to clear his lines, allowing Amad Diallo to recycle possession and find Bryan Mbeumo, who headed home to give United the lead.

Spurs fans responded with boos at halftime as their side registered just 0.07 expected goals in the opening 45 minutes.

Frank’s substitutions shift things

Spurs returned from the break with renewed intensity after Frank introduced Odobert for Randal Kolo Muani. The change paid immediate dividends as the home side pressed relentlessly.

Cristian Romero tested Lammens with a flicked header, while Joao Palhinha drew another fine save from the Belgian keeper. Brennan Johnson thought he had equalised soon after, but his strike was ruled offside following Richarlison’s mistimed pass.

United retreated deeper as Spurs pressed higher, and their resistance finally broke when substitute Mathys Tel controlled Udogie’s cross and fired home to make it 1–1.

Moments later, the stadium erupted when Richarlison flicked in Odobert’s effort to give Spurs a 2–1 lead in the 90th minute, seemingly sealing the win.

De Ligt rescues United at the death

Just when defeat appeared certain, United’s persistence paid off. In the sixth minute of stoppage time, Bruno Fernandes delivered a pinpoint corner, and De Ligt rose highest to head home and silence the home crowd.

The dramatic draw extends United’s unbeaten streak to five matches, while Spurs will rue their missed opportunity to claim a statement victory against their old rivals.

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Tottenham challenge Chelsea in race for £60m valued forward

Tottenham Hotspur have opened talks to sign RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons, a player long pursued by Chelsea.

The Dutch midfielder has been a top target for Chelsea throughout the summer, but the club have struggled to reach an agreement with Leipzig.

The Bundesliga side rejected a player-plus-cash deal that would have seen Christopher Nkunku return to Germany, and they continue to demand around €70 million (£60.4m) for the highly-rated talent.

Now Tottenham have entered the race, with reports suggesting they are confident Simons could be tempted by a move to North London.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s pursuit of Simons appeared close earlier this month when he was left out of Leipzig’s pre-season clash against Atalanta.

However, he has since returned to the line-up, playing the full 90 minutes in a 6-0 defeat to Bayern Munich.