Eze is the hat-trick hero on derby day

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.

- BY GEORGE SESSIONS

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.

And 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.

The injury list of both clubs had dominated the buildup and the Gunners remained without £55million forward Viktor Gyokeres, but Spurs boss Frank still went with a three-at-the-back system.