TOTTENHAM
APOEL employed someone called Jesus to mark Harry Kane last night.
But the Cypriot side found out that the striker had a God-given talent for scoring goals as he netted a hat-trick.
The Spaniard Jesus Rueda had done well up until the 39th minute, with the help of his Nicosia team-mates, as they often doubled up to try to stop Kane.
Then the Tottenham striker moved as if to hold up a ball from Toby Alderweireld but instead turned and let it run.
It caught out Rueda, who was muscled out of the way and saw Kane surging away from him.
The Spurs No10 finished coolly, slotting low to goalkeeper Boy Waterman’s right with seemingly effortless ease.
Despite the visitors having the better of the early going, it was Nicosia who threatened first.
A frantic couple of minutes ended in the 20th when Igor De Camargo lashed a left-footer against the angle of the upright with Hugo Lloris beaten.
In the 36th minute centre-back Carlao could have scored when he drifted behind Alderweireld to earn a free header at the far post from a Ghayas Zahid corner. He somehow nodded wide.
A minute later Lloris ran out to clear but kicked against teammate Davinson Sanchez and was lucky to see the ball run out for a corner.
Kane then struck and Spurs went into the break rather flatteringly ahead.
Straight after the break a nippy move saw Moussa Sissoko pick out Kane who teed up Son Heung-Min, but he drove wide.
Roland Sallai half-volleyed powerfully but Lloris not only saved, he clutched the ball safely.
The speedy Stathis Aloneftis outpaced Serge Aurier and forced Lloris into tipping over a fierce drive.
After Aurier’s failure to keep up with Aloneftis, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino hauled him off and sent Kieran Trippier to right-back in an old-fashioned