Eberechi Eze punishes Tottenham with stunning derby hat-trick for Arsenal

A brilliant hat-trick by Eberechi Eze earned Arsenal more bragging rights over Tottenham and sent them six points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 4-1 victory.

Defeats for title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City on Saturday had opened the door for Mikel Arteta’s leaders to increase their advantage at the summit.

Even with numerous key players out injured, Arsenal proved far too strong for Thomas Frank’s Spurs and inflicted a painful defeat on their north London rivals in a display inspired by a player that could have turned out for the visitors at Emirates Stadium.

Eze had been all set to sign for Tottenham from Crystal Palace in August until the Gunners hijacked the transfer at the last minute.

After a slow start at his new club, Eze produced a memorable derby-day treble, firing home in the 41st-minute after Leandro Trossard’s opener five minutes earlier before two second-half strikes ensured he went home with the match ball on a day to savour for Arsenal.