HurryKane
> Pochettino eyes new record for star-striker <
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR manager Mauricio Pochettino believes the Premier League single-season scoring record of 34 goals is under threat from Harry Kane after the striker grabbed two more in a 4-0 victory over Everton at Wembley.
Kane made it 10 goals in his last six games in all competitions to become Tottenham’s record scorer in the Premier League and, after yesterday’s match, the England forward’s top-flight tally for the season stands at 20 with 15 League games still to play.
“Harry is fantastic and I congratulate him one more time,” said Pochettino after Kane equalled and then surpassed Teddy Sheringham’s previous record of 97 Premier League goals for the north London club.
“He can do anything because of his mentality and how professional he is.
“He can achieve all that he wants because of his willingness to work. He’s always thinking and trying to improve, improve, improve and score goals.”
Pochettino added: “What is really important to explain to everyone is that although he scores lots of goals, his mentality is always to work for the team and that is what makes him such a special player. In his mind, he always tries to help and play for the team.”
Victory left Spurs level on points with fourth-placed Liverpool in a competitive race for a place in next season’s Champions League.
“That is our challenge and our target, to reach the Champions League, but we know that it is difficult to play at this type of level for a long period,” Pochettino added.
The manager was also full of praise for Son Heung-Min, who scored Tottenham’s opening goal, hit the post and helped to set up one of Kane’s goals as well as that of Christian Eriksen.
The South Korea star was just happy to have a fulltime role this season, saying: “I love playing now. I want to keep going scoring but we all played well today, not just me.
“It’s impossible to beat Harry. He’s one of the best strikers and one of the best players. He works so hard for the team. He’s younger than me but I’m learning from him.”
While Spurs maintained their recent surge in form, Everton slumped to their heaviest defeat under new manager Sam Allardyce.
“We’ve seen the inconsistent Everton today,” said Allardyce. “Last week we were very unlucky to get beaten at Liverpool in the last five minutes and this week we got thrashed in the second half.
“Obviously it’s something I have to address now. I didn’t expect to see it. I’ve seen it and now I have to address it as quickly as possible.
“It was a shocking second-half performance. I saw some of the good sides of the players last week and I saw some of their worst sides in the second half today, which is massively worrying in terms.
“I can’t excuse our capitulation after we went 2-0 down... West Brom becomes a massive game this week so that we don’t get dragged back into that relegation zone.
“After having a wonderful start, we are back on dangerous ground with our results and it’s our responsibility to get results, not wait to see if other teams have lost.”
Allardyce added: “It was a very difficult day for (new signing) Cenk Tosun on his debut today, a very difficult day for us all in the end.
“But if we can get him a better service that he likes and get him holding the ball up, hopefully he’ll do for us what he’s done for Besiktas in their league and in the Champions League.” – AFP