Spurs will Hammer home league intent

HARRY Kane says Tottenham plan on making Chelsea squirm this weekend as his title-chasers look to pile pressure on the leaders with a win against West Ham yesterday.

With Chelsea not in action until Monday’s clash with Middlesbrough, Mauricio Pochettino’s second placed side can temporarily move within one point of top spot if they beat the Hammers at the London Stadium.

Tottenham know the affect the schedule can have after they regularly followed Leicester during last year’s run-in and finally crumbled to hand the Foxes the title.

So far, they have coped admirably with the anxiety of having to play their fixtures after Chelsea, responding to victories by the leaders by beating Crystal Palace and Arsenal in their last two games.

This weekend, Kane and company, winners of their last nine league games, go first and the Tottenham striker is determined to seize the chance to turn up the heat on the Blues.

“We just have to try to finish strong. We’ve got another game Friday night and it’s good to play first,” said Kane.

Chelsea maintained their charge with a 3-0 win at Everton on Sunday before Tottenham brushed aside Arsenal 2-0.

Kane’s penalty helped seal success in the last north London derby to be played at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham will play at Wembley next season while their new stadium is completed and Kane is certain his emerging young team are destined for great things. “We’ve got a great squad,” said Kane. Tottenham’s win last weekend means they are guaranteed to finish above Arsenal for the first time since 1995, but Kane is more concerned with landing the title.

West Ham would relish spoiling Tottenham’s title ambitions as they seek to secure their place in the top-flight.

With his side seven points above the relegation zone, Hammers boss Slaven Bilic had demanded a strong finish to move into mid-table in their remaining games against Tottenham, Liverpool and Burnley.

“There are nine points to play for and we need to pick up more,” said Bilic. — AFP