Fightback effort delights Kane, Pochettino

– Striker Harry Kane (right) said he was delighted that Tottenham fought back on Tuesday to take two valuable away goals into the second leg of their last 16 Champions League tie with Juventus.

Kane scored one of Spurs’ goals as the English side fought back from 2-0 down to 2-2 in Turin, giving them an outstanding opportunity to qualify for the quarterfinals when the two sides meet at Wembley on March 7. The Italian giants will have to outscore Tottenham if they are to go through.

Kane’s 35th minute effort was his seventh goal in the competi- tion this season – matching Steven Gerrard whose seven for Liverpool in the 2008/09 campaign had stood as a record for an English player.

Not only that but Kane’s ninegoal haul from his first nine games is more than any other player in the history of Europe’s blue-riband club competition – one more than the quartet of Ronaldinho, Simone Inzaghi, Didier Drogba and Diego Costa.

Kane has scored nine goals in his last eight games in all competitions and has 33 for the season – more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues. Asked if he feared Spurs were about to sink without trace after the two early goals from Gonzalo Higuain, Kane said: “We could have done, away from home in the Champions League. It showed character.

“It was an excellent performance after that and we take two away goals to Wembley. Great result.”

Spurs’ other scorer, Christian Eriksen, said: “We are sure we will have chances at Wembley. We go into that game full of confidence and we’re looking forward to it.”

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino said his side “showed character” in a competition where their best finish was the semifinals in 1962. We’ve shown great personality against a team that has played two finals in the last three years, my players have been fantastic.”

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri insisted he would not be getting depressed despite criticism at failing to land the killer blow on Tuesday.

“This really irritates me, because people have no idea of how teams function. The primary objective is the Scudetto: it’s not easy. Then we’ll try to go forward in the Champions League,” said Allegri. – AFP