'Outrageous': Spurs star Erik Lamela scores RIDICULOUS rabona nutmeg goal vs Arsenal – then gets sent off (VIDEO)
Tottenham Hotspur star Erik Lamela went from hero to zero in the North London derby as the Argentine scored a brilliantly inventive goal to put his team in front against Arsenal at the Emirates, only to later get sent off.
With the scores level at 0-0 in the 33rd minute, Lamela produced a remarkable finish after the ball had been laid off into his path by Lucas Moura inside the Arsenal box.
Despite being surrounded by Gunners players, the Spurs star executed a 'rabona' to send the ball between Thomas Partey's legs and into the bottom corner of the net.
It was a sublime strike which instantly sent social media into meltdown.
Lamela great goal ????????????pic.twitter.com/3FqoL9Ir6M
— #FastGoal (@Fastgoal2) March 14, 2021
Lamela take a fucking bow sir
— Mainly Oasis (@mainlyoasis) March 14, 2021
pic.twitter.com/JLPTPfjZdj
Sergio Regulion’s reaction to that Lamela goal is all of us... #ARSTOT #NLD pic.twitter.com/KiUWnpvPCn
— FIVEYARDS (@FIVE__YARDS) March 14, 2021
The goal was Lamela's first in the Premier League this season. The Argentine star had not even started Sunday's game, instead coming off the bench to replace the injured Son Heung-min in the 19th minute.
Winger Lamela, 29, is something of a rabona specialist, scoring with the same technique in a long-range effort back in 2014.
We've seen it before from Lamela ????
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 14, 2021
(via @EuropaLeague)pic.twitter.com/IJ9UMV4sJE
The thing about the Lamela goal is, it’s not even the best Rabona he’s scored.
— Gary Lineker ???? (@GaryLineker) March 14, 2021
Sunday's strike wasn't enough to give Spurs the lead heading into the break, however, as a deflected effort from Martin Odegaard leveled the score just before half-time.
Just under 20 minutes into the second half and Arsenal found themselves in front when Alexandre Lacazette scored from the penalty spot after Davinson Sanchez was adjudged to have fouled him in the Spurs box.
Spurs then had to attempt to get back into the game despite being down to 10 men as Lamela earned two yellow cards in the space of seven minutes, the second of which came for a petty swing of his arm at Gunners defender Kieran Tierney.
19': Subbed on for injured Son
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 14, 2021
33': Scores unreal rabona goal
69': Picks up first yellow card
76': Sent off after receiving a second yellow
Erik Lamela’s derby was a journey ???? pic.twitter.com/blKix52phv
Harry Kane saw an equalizer chalked off for offside after he headed home from a cross, and the England star also hit the post from a free-kick as Spurs failed to find the goal they needed to leave the Emirates with a point.
Jose Mourinho's men were aiming to maintain their push for a Champions League spot, but defeat left them seventh in the table, six points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea.
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, meanwhile, moved on to 41 points but remain in the lowly depths of 10th in the table, although at least claim North London bragging rights.