Tottenham 2-0 Arsenal: Report and reaction

Only 146 seconds separated Alli's second-half opener and Kane converting from the penalty spot as Spurs moved 17 points clear of the Gunners and made it mathematically impossible for their rivals to close the gap.

Tottenham's victory was only tarnished by Chelsea's emphatic 3-0 win at Everton earlier in the day, which means they could just reduce the difference at the top back to four points.

Chelsea have Middlesbrough, West Brom, Watford and Sunderland left to play and this could well prove the day Antonio Conte's men tightened their grip on the trophy.

There was little sign of disappointment for Spurs fans, however, who have not toasted finishing a league season above Arsenal since 1995, an achievement made all the more sweet given it came in the final run of this fixture at this current ground.

Tottenham confirmed on Friday they will move to Wembley next season, making this the last north London derby at White Hart Lane before the club opens its new stadium in August 2018.

For Arsene Wenger's men, the challenge of sneaking into the top four has become even more acute.

They now sit five points behind Manchester City and four back on Manchester United, albeit having played one game less than both, with next weekend's match at home to United now taking on even greater significance.

Mousa Dembele's ankle injury meant he was fit enough only for a place on the bench as Eric Dier partnered Victor Wanyama in midfield.

Laurent Koscielny shook off a knee problem to start at the centre of an Arsenal back three while Aaron Ramsey came in for Francis Coquelin.

Kane tested Petr Cech with an early shot from the angle but Arsenal were comfortable in the first 20 minutes, disciplined in defence and determined up front to stop Spurs playing out from the back.

Two Tottenham chances, however, arrived in the space of two minutes and they should have scored from both. First, Alli nodded Kane's deflected shot wide at the back post and then it was Son Heung-min's effort that ricocheted invitingly into the air but this time Christian Eriksen volleyed over with the goal gaping.

That was as close as Spurs came in the opening period and in fact it was Arsenal who finished the stronger, Ramsey stretching Hugo Lloris with a guided shot towards the far corner before the unusually quiet Alexis Sanchez bent one wide of the back post.

Wanyama and Olivier Giroud both fired off shots at the start of the second period, the former's tipped over, the latter's ballooning high without any extra intervention.

But just before the hour-mark, Tottenham came to life.

It began with Eriksen dancing his way through Arsenal's defence, and while Cech blocked the Dane's angled finish, Alli was on hand to slot home his 17th league goal of the season.

Pochettino had barely stopped pumping his fists when Spurs doubled their lead, Gabriel sticking a lazy leg out to bring down Kane in the penalty area and the striker stepping up to to convert his sixth goal in five games against this opposition.

Tottenham smelt blood and soon went looking for a third. Jan Vertonghen's curling shot had to be palmed away by Cech and Arsenal were fortunate not to concede another penalty when Sanchez blocked Son's flick with his arm.

Toby Alderweireld sent Cech diving into the air again with a bullet header from a corner late on and Arsenal never looked like mounting a comeback.

Match reaction

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino on the title race and finishing above Arsenal: "I feel very proud, first of all because the players played their best and they were fantastic. And for our fans, I feel very happy for them. It was a fantastic game and yes, we are in the race for the title. We reduce again the gap to Chelsea.

"Now we have to be focused because we have again on Friday a very important game against West Ham and now it's important to be focused on that game. I am happy as, when you play a derby like Tottenham versus Arsenal, always it is important to win.

"But I have massive respect for him (Arsene Wenger). I admire him for what he is doing at a club like Arsenal and it is a fantastic job. I am so happy but our challenge is and our aim is not only to beat Arsenal but also the 19 teams in the Premier League.

"Of course I am very happy but I am so calm as we have four games to play and now is important to be focused and to try to reduce the gap to Chelsea."

On the Chelsea result earlier in the day: "I knew (the result) because I was watching. The players didn't watch because they were focused on the game. They were really focused on the game and I think they didn't realise what happened at Everton. We knew because we were watching but they were very focused.

"Of course I am disappointed because it was a great opportunity to reduce the gap. It is four, with four to play, all is possible in football and we'll see what happens next week.

"But now its important to feel proud, happy, because the last game against Arsenal and all that means for our fans and those who love Tottenham, it was a fantastic afternoon.

"Yes, of course (we are) disappointed because we have not reduced the gap on Chelsea - but (I am) so proud of the performance of the team and our support."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger on Spurs finishing above his side: "Look, the points are the points. They do not come from heaven, you earn them on the pitch. That's it.

"If I believe or not, the gap is there. That is often in the final part of the season, that can go one way or the other without really reflecting the difference between the teams."

On the club's tour-four hopes: "It will be very difficult now, but we have to fight. We have a cup final, we have still a chance to get into the top four and we have to recover from today and prepare for our next games."

Tottenham striker Harry Kane told Sky Sports 1: "Incredible. We obviously wanted to finish the last north London derby here on a high note and we did that.

"We were fantastic from the back all the way forward. We worked hard - we outworked them - we created the better chances and probably should have had a couple more in that first half.

"What a day. It's been a great weekend for us. The fans have got the bragging rights for now but we've still got four important games to finish off."

Jan Vertonghen on next week's fixture at West Ham and piling more pressure on Chelsea: "It was a massive game in so many different ways. We showed from the start we wanted to win more than them, and that we want to stay in the title race.

"It was a great performance throughout the team, from Hugo (Lloris) to Harry. We can't do anything else other than keep on winning games and putting pressure on them. If we win our game on Friday it'll be down to one point and then let's see what they do."