1 Tottenham: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Pape Sarr worldie wins North London derby
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Pape Sarr's outrageous long-range effort propelled Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-0 friendly win over North London derby rivals Arsenal in Hong Kong.
In front of a fervent Kowloon atmosphere, there was no love lost between the two bitter rivals, as challenges flew in and tussles were fought all over the shop.
Mikel Arteta's men struggled to get into their usual flow, though, and they were undone just before the break by a moment of individual magic from Sarr, who lobbed David Raya from the centre circle after Myles Lewis-Skelly lost possession.
The second half was played mostly on Arsenal's terms, but even with new striker Viktor Gyokeres debuting in the dying embers, Thomas Frank's dogged defence held firm.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
There may have been no points on offer in Hong Kong, but the early-season bragging rights deservedly belong to Tottenham, who have beaten the Gunners for the first time in over three years.
Granted, the strike came from an individual error and a possible refereeing mistake, but Sarr's strike was nothing short of astonishing, and Arsenal's repeated creative failings came to the fore far too often.
One shot on target from 15 attempts tells the story of Arsenal's afternoon, but there is no way of knowing whether Thursday's result really is a sign of things to come for the coming season.
ARSENAL VS. TOTTENHAM HIGHLIGHTS
Pape Sarr goal vs. Arsenal (45th min, Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham)
David Beckham eat your heart out!
David Raya - as he does - ventures out of his box with the ball at his feet and feeds Myles Lewis-Skelly, who is immediately swarmed by white shirts.
The England international appears to be tripped by Richarlison, but the referee sees nothing doing, and Sarr picks up the loose ball before remarkably lobbing Raya from 40 yards!
MAN OF THE MATCH - PAPE SARR
In truth, Lewis-Skelly surely would have won a foul off of Richarlison before Sarr's goal in the Premier League, but take nothing away from the Senegal international's tremendous long-range effort.
As well as his worldie, Sarr put in five tackles, drew two fouls and won both of his aerial duels, suggesting that he could be a true midfield metronome in Frank's system.
ARSENAL VS. TOTTENHAM MATCH STATS
Possession: Arsenal 55%-45% Tottenham
Shots:Â Arsenal 15-6 Tottenham
Shots on target: Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham
Corners: Arsenal 12-4 Tottenham
Fouls:Â Arsenal 10-10 Tottenham
WHAT NEXT?
The Gunners' pre-season tour of Asia has now come to an end, and they now head back to the Emirates for a date with Villarreal on August 6, three days before the Emirates Cup vs. Athletic Bilbao.
Meanwhile, Spurs now head to South Korea to take on fellow Premier League outfit Newcastle United, four days before a scrap with Harry Kane's Bayern Munich in Germany.
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