Kane’s trick puts Spurs in second spot
ARSENAL MOVE UP TO THIRD AFTER 4-0 WIN OVER SWANSEA
arry Kane plundered a hat-trick as Tottenham Hotspur climbed to second place in the Premier League yesterday with a classy 4-0 demolition of West Bromwich Albion.
The England striker, who became a father for the first time last weekend, took his tally for the season to 15 goals in all competitions as Mauricio Pochettino’s side recorded a sixth successive league win.
They closed to within four points of leaders Chelsea, while Arsenal moved up to third place after winning 4-0 at Swansea City.
“The first 45 minutes was fantastic. It was wonderful football,” said Spurs manager Pochettino, whose side ended Chelsea’s 13-game winning streak on their previous league outing.
“I think after Chelsea it was a big challenge to keep the momentum and show that we are mature enough to fight for big things and today was a very good example of that.”
The only low point for Spurs was an ankle injury that forced centre-back Jan Vertonghen off midway through the second half. Pochettino said the early signs looked “very bad”.
Kane put Spurs in front from Christian Eriksen’s cute Burnley Hull Sunderland Swansea Tottenham Watford West Ham 1 3 1 0 4 0 3 Southampton Bournemouth Stoke Arsenal West Brom Middlesbrough Crystal Palace 0 1 3 4 0 0 0 pass in the 12th minute at White Hart Lane before a shot from Eriksen deflected in off Gareth McAuley for an own goal.
Kyle Walker crossed for Kane to hook in Spurs’ third goal in the 77th minute and he completed his hat-trick five minutes later with a volley from Dele Alli’s clever scooped pass.
Arsenal moved above Liverpool, who visit arch rivals Manchester United today, on goal difference after a pair of own goals helped them to victory at struggling Swansea.
Olivier Giroud broke the deadlock in the 37th minute after Mesut Ozil’s header hit Alfie Mawson. Alex Iwobi’s shot deflected in off Jack Cork early in the second half and the Nigerian youngster’s cross was then turned in by Kyle Naughton for a second own goal.
Alexis Sanchez sealed victory with a 73rd-minute volley that took his tally for the campaign to 14 goals.