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maltatoday SUNDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2018 Sports 52 FOOTBALL FOOTBALL - PREMIER LEAGUE Kane again as Spurs continue derby dominance over Arsenal Harry Kane's 101st Premier League goal was the difference as Tottenham Hotspur earned a 1-0 win over Arsenal, to continue their fine recent form in north London derbies in front of a Premier League record crowd at Wembley yesterday. BOTH teams struggled to get going in the first half, but the con- test burst into life straight after the interval, with Kane heading in his seventh goal in seven matches against Arsenal to break the dead- lock in the 49th minute. Arsenal almost snatched a point at the death, but substitute Alexandre Lacazette fired wide, and in truth, the margin of victory should have been greater, as Spurs wasted sev- eral chances to double their advan- tage in front of a crowd of 83,222. None the less, the hosts hung on for the victory that enables them to leapfrog both Liverpool and Chel- sea -- who do not play until Sunday and Monday respectively -- into third place, seven points clear of sixth-placed Arsenal, who have now beaten Spurs just once in eight league games. "We feel very proud. The perfor- mance was fantastic," Spurs man- ager Mauricio Pochettino said. "We have to keep going." Pochettino went with the same side that drew at Liverpool, while counterpart Arsene Wenger left Lacazette on the bench, with new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubamey- ang up front. It took until the 27th minute for the game's first real chance to be created, but Kane could not keep his header down. Arsenal were a threat on the counter, but rarely troubled Hugo Lloris in the home goal during the first half. "The game should have been fin- ished at halftime," Wenger said. "We missed opportunities on the counter attack because of a poor final ball." The second period was the an- tithesis of the first, in terms of action, as Spurs took the game to Arsenal. Kane brilliantly headed Ben Davies' cross into the net four minutes into the half before then missing an easier header moments later. Arsenal were reeling and had Petr Cech to thank for keeping them in the match after the Ar- senal goalkeeper tipped Eriksen's free kick over. As the visitors pressed for an equaliser, they left gaps at the back, and Dele Alli should have capital- ised from such space, but prodded wide. The gilt-edged chances kept com- ing for Spurs, with Kieran Trippier next to shoot too close to Cech. Lacazette came mightily close to snatching an undeserved point in stoppage time, but he could not find the target, and Arsenal slipped to a third defeat in five league games. Floriana hold Balzan to a draw Balzan dropped two important points as they were held by Floriana in a 1-1 draw Floriana ..................... 1 Balzan ........................ 1 THE second match at the National stadium saw the teams of Balzan and Floriana fac- ing off each other. This was an important fixture for both sides; however, Balzan were much more under pressure as they needed a good result to consolidate their place at the top of the table. Balzan were without their coach Marko Micovic who was suspended. Ludvic Bartolo was guiding the team from the bench. The Premier League leaders also had to make four changes to the team that faced Valletta. Ivan Janjusevic, Alfred Effiong, Ryan Fenech and Bruno Gilio de Oliveira started the match instead of Sean Mintoff, Uros Ljubomirac, Milos Lepovic and Michael Johnson. On the other hand, Nicolas Chiesa decided to keep the same players that started against Ħamrun Spartans. During the first round, both teams shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Floriana created the first chance of the match after fifteen minutes. Artur Oyana hit a shot from a free-kick that was neutral- ised by Ivan Janjusevic. A minute later, Janjusevic had to be on the alert once more to deny Floriana. Sebastian Nayar fired a shot from distance that was parried by Balzan's goalkeeper. Balzan responded on the 19th minute. Car- los Eduardo De Fiori Mendes received the ball inside the penalty area and sent a shot that went over. Floriana broke the deadlock on the 35th minute. Nayar sent an excellent ball towards Mario Fontanella who went past two defend- ers and hit a low shot that gave Janjusevic no chance. In the additional time given by the referee prior to half time, Juninho Cabral of Flori- ana fired a shot from a free-kick that failed to hit the target. Balzan started the second half on the at- tack and were close to equalise on the 48th minute. De Feiori Medes delivered a cross towards Alfred Effiong whose shot forced a good save from Ini Etim Akpan. Floriana responded on the 54th minute. Fontanella ran inside the penalty area and hit a shot that failed to hit the target. Three minutes later, Effiong went on a great run inside the penalty area, but found Akpan in his way as the Floriana goalkeeper produced another good save to deny him. Balzan equalised on the hour mark. Ef- fiong sent De Fiori Mendes through on goal and the latter finished past Akpan from close range. This goal brought harsh protests from Floriana's technical staff and players who argued that De Fiori Mendes was in an offside position. Effiong nearly sent Balzan ahead on the 72nd minute. The Maltese international player received a long ball and went through down the left side, but saw his effort going slightly wide. Balzan kept on insisting and created an- other chance on the 77th minute. Bojan Kaljevic received a cross and headed the ball towards goal. The ball was heading to- wards the net, but Enzo Ruiz rushed back and cleared it off the line. Floriana hit back in the additional time. Cabral delivered the ball towards Fonta- nella whose shot ended up off target. Following this result, Valletta can go just one point behind Balzan if they secure a win over bottom side Lija Athletic. Balzan starting line-up: Ivan Janjuse- vic, Steven Bezzina, Alfred Effiong, Ryan Fenech (Justin Grioli – 45), Bruno Gilio de Oliveira, Ivan Bozovic (Siraj Eddin Arab- 80), Bojan Kaljevic, Paul Fenech, Alex Da Paixao Alves, Elkin Serrano Valero, Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes Floriana starting line-up: Ini Etim Ak- pan, Sebastian Nayar, Enrico Pepe, Enzo Ruiz (Jurgen Pisani – 84), Steve Pisani, Juninho Cabral, Alex Cini, Arthur Oyama, Dylan Grima, Mario Fontanella, Emerson Marcellina Referee: Matthew Degabriele Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Dusan Petrovic Additional Assistant Referees: Glen Tonna, Eman Grech Fourth Official: William Debattista BOV Player of the Match: Alfred Effiong (Balzan) Yellow Cards: Elkin Serrano Valero (Balzan), Alex Da Paixao Alves (Balzan), Emerson Marcellina (Floriana), Ini Etim Akpan (Floriana), Sebastian Nayar (Flori- ana) Tottenham's Harry Kane scores their first goal