SPURS GET REVENGE ON ARSENAL

PAPE Matar Sarr found the net from the halfway line as Tottenham took advantage of a shaky outing by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya to clinch a 1-0 victory in the first north London derby held outside the UK on Thursday.

Raya, who had already been caught out twice by inswinging corners that struck the post, was again at fault in the 45th minute when Sarr intercepted Myles Lewis-Skelly just inside the Arsenal half.

The Spurs midfielder glanced up, noticed Raya positioned far outside his penalty area, and unleashed a stunning strike from 50 yards out.

Although labeled a pre-season “friendly,” the match was anything but amicable, showcasing the intense rivalry between the two sides.

Players went in hard and emotions ran high in a contest that captivated a sellout crowd of 49,975 in Hong Kong’s air-conditioned Kai Tak Stadium.

Arsenal began the match stronger, yet it was Tottenham who rattled the woodwork three times during a frantic first half, justifying their lead at halftime.

The Gunners mounted a strong assault on the Tottenham goal at the start of the second half, but under new manager Thomas Frank, Spurs’ defense remained resolute, making it difficult for Arsenal to penetrate.