HARRY OF THIS WORLD OUT
Boss Poch left to hail hitman again
MAURICIO POCHETTINO reckons Harry Kane showed again why he should be classed alongside the world’s top strikers after he rescued Tottenham.
Pochettino’s side looked as though they had blown the chance to ramp up the pressure on their rivals for a Champions League spot.
That was until Kane struck in the 88th minute.
The striker had earlier missed two chances to put Spurs ahead.
But Pochettino believes the way he stuck to his task to claim his 35th goal of another stunning campaign – his 150th career club goal – showed his class.
“All the talented players, the top players, can miss chances,” said the Spurs boss.
“But what makes this type of player a top player is that, the moment after they miss, they forget about it and try and create or take another.
“You need to forget and try and make another.
“Harry, for different circumstances, missed the first few chances but in the end his character made him keep pushing, keep trying, and achieve what he wanted.
“The important thing with the team today is we are more mature, we never give up, and we have the belief we can change the game.
“That is a good thing to feel, that the team have inside a good quality we need to keep.”
Disguise
Kane’s winner was agonising for Roy Hodgson’s men.
The Palace boss claimed the result was down to James Tomkins’s 85th-minute withdrawal with cramp.
That meant substitute Damien Delaney was charged with marking Kane at Christian Eriksen’s late corner, where he lost the striker at the far post.
Hodgson said: “I can’t disguise it. I’m not an actor... I thought it was a really hard-working performance from the players.
“They gave everything they have for the club. Then to lose Tomkins to a severe cramp and concede a last-minute goal... it’s very hard to take.
“Tomkins had been very, very good for us in that position. “If you were to ask me which player I’d have been desperate not to lose, he would have been top of the list. But he had severe cramp and wasn’t going to last.
“Poor Damien found himself in that situation marking Kane.
“Had we drawn the game 0-0, despite Tottenham having the best play and chances, we’d be feeling pleased with ourselves, given what we have at our disposal. Now we feel deflated.”
Palace had recovered from a shaky start when Kane should have given Spurs an early lead after an error by Patrick van Aanholt.
But the Eagles – who were without 12 senior players – grew into the game.
They looked as though they had done enough to move a point clear of the bottom three as Pochettino’s men began to show their frustration.
Dele Alli was twice accused of diving in the box by Palace defenders, but it was Kane who finally delivered the hammer blow.