Kane gives Spurs fans yet another reason to celebrate!

Article by Michael Frankal

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I've generally always found it hard to enjoy the North London Derby. Growing up, there seemed to be more Arsenal kids in my area than Spurs. Aside from the FA Cup Semi-Final in 1991, we didn’t have much to brag about in the 90s and things didn’t really improve until Martin Jol’s accidental reign. Meanwhile, down the road, George Graham’s tenure ended and, after a bit of mediocrity, Wenger’s began. They had a successful period which they’ve struggled to replicate in recent years. We were consistent in this 90s-00s period: consistently crap. And that, as a kid, is a tough one to live with on the playground and down the park. Bragging rights are important when you’re a kid and probably why, in suburban north-west London at least, Manchester United and Liverpool (owing to their 80s legacy days) are so well-represented.

There’s been a shift in the last few years, we can go toe-to-toe with Arsenal now and, whilst the bookies and pundits will still largely back them, even when playing at WHL, you can’t call it beforehand. It’s played out like a cup final, anything can happen. They say it’s our cup final, but only when it doesn’t go their way. Walcott antagonising in the FA cup last year and the clown of a goalkeeper, with his selfies, are recent examples that prove two things: insecurity (masquerading as arrogance) and relief (when they win). Both of which go hand-in-hand with the pressure of needing to secure a result. It’s always a game that matters.

On any view, we’re not at a point where we can say power has fully shifted the other way but the balance is levelling out: the fabled gap has narrowed over the last few years and the NLD is competed rather than scripted with a predictability of blue and white failure.

They need to win the NLD as much as we do. They say we are forever in their shadow but, to get existential, they are presently in the shadow of their own past and cannot escape it. Tottering Day, or whatever distraction they need from their own shortcomings in May, is all they can look to now the silverware isn’t anywhere near as frequent as it was. Getting one over on us once, or twice, a year is probably as important to them as their fourth place trophy.

I’m typing now on Saturday evening waiting for Match of the Day, having opened a single-malt I’ve been eyeing on my shelf for a while. The immediate sense of elation which follows a derby victory (and this afternoon’s alcohol) has largely elapsed and a more satisfied sense of reflection has kicked in. Others will have started watching the game having decided to review it detail and they will provide a few hundred words of more detailed analysis than I am proffering here. However, I would be surprised if I see any sensible report suggesting it was anything other than a deserved victory.

Ozil’s goal was against the run of play, firstly. Secondly, a goal’s a goal but it wasn’t crafted from anything. The build up was a selection of mistakes (ours and Giroud’s) with Ozil in the right place to frustrate the Lilywhite half of north London after a promising start. Offside or not, those decisions can go for and against you over the course of a season.

We simply looked stronger, fitter and more aggressive in the middle of the park. Individual battles were largely won (aside from Welbeck skinning Rose for the goal). We wanted it more and deservedly got the right result for the work put in. Mason and Bentaleb were brilliant. They’re still learning and sometimes you forget it’s realistically their first full first-team season. Our spine is now looking really good: young and ambitious; hungry and aggressive. Dier looked solid at Centre Back. Lamela’s extravagance was replaced today with hard-work and graft. Eriksen didn’t obviously affect the game as much as he has done this season, when he's stolen the headlines, but he didn’t do wrong and, all in all, was pretty faultless! Kane: simply superb (again), real Roy of the Rovers stuff- the local lad rising, salmon-like, between two seasoned centre backs to head beyond the keeper with under five minutes to go. If there was a sense of disillusionment with the squad last season with a failure of the Magnificent Seven to make an instant impact, Kane’s rise and rise this term is arguably an antithesis some of the ills of the modern game. What is also really refreshing is that this team, evidenced by today, cares and gets the sense of occasion. Win, lose or draw, these games have to be contested fiercely and anything less is a disappointment and unacceptable. 4 points out of 6 this season and Poch remains one Spurs manager Wenger hasn’t beaten - long may that continue.

A number of fans are saying there’s more connection in the last few months – the grit shown today does prove that players can feel it too and aren’t always just multi-millionaires showing up for a paycheque. The pictures of Kane, Mason and Bentaleb celebrating resonate really well and, when City and Chelsea can buy their success, home grown talent holding their own and succeeding is sweeter and gives us hope that there’s another way.

There may not have been many similar local heroes when I was kicking tennis balls around the playground but the Spurs kids will feel proud come Monday morning and will be able to hold their heads up high. Maybe one day, Spurs’ fanbase in the North West of England might start growing too.

Michael Frankal

@Dynamikey666

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