Harry’s hat it again...
Kane celebrates his sixth Spurs hat-trick this year in their 3-0 Champions League win at APOEL Nicosia
As APOEL fans unfurled their protest banner demanding the return of the Elgin Marbles, Tottenham stole cheekily away into the night with three more precious points from their European adventures.
Not the work of Thomas Bruce, the seventh Earl of Elgin, on this occasion, but Harry Kane, the Duke of Chingford, the King of spurs, the slayer of Cypriot footballing dreams.
When last on the island, Kane spared a few blushes, scoring a winner against AEL Limassol in a Europa League qualifier with his sixth goal for the club and making himself known to new manager Mauricio Pochettino in the process.
Three years on and Kane was back to torment the natives some more, this time netting goals 106 to 108 for his club, with the perfect hat-trick.
The first with his left foot, the second with his right and the third with a header to complete an encouraging start to this Champions League campaign for Pochettino’s side.
six points from two games ahead of a double-header with holders Real Madrid was just what the boss had ordered.
‘Harry Kane has unbelievable skills in front of goal,’ beamed Pochettino. ‘That is why he is one of the best. These type of players have this special skill. He is a killer.
‘It will be a big challenge for us against Real Madrid. The players will be motivated to play against the best team in the world, but we are growing every season in our belief.’
Remarkable as it seems after such a comprehensive result, there were times when spurs were under pressure from the Cypriot champions and grateful to goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
skipper Lloris led out an unusual Tottenham team. Missing several key players, Pochettino tinkered in order to keep his back-three shape.
But the Premier League side opened confidently, dominating possession, squeezing back the home team and peppering Boy Waterman’s goal.
APOEL gradually became more expansive, with Roland sallai and Carlao squandering good chances to head them into the lead, while Belgian striker Igor de Camargo thumped the crossbar with Lloris well beaten.
Tottenham survived and relief came from Kane on 39 minutes when he latched on to a pass from Toby Alderweireld and converted his fifth Champions League goal in only his fifth appearance in the competition.
APOEL briefly threatened a fightback, but Kane slotted the second goal on 62 minutes, converting from Moussa sissoko’s cutback.
The hat-trick goal arrived five minutes later following another sweeping move down the right.
Kieran Trippier delivered another excellent cross from that flank and Kane arrived to guide his header into the net.
After a goalless August, he now has 11 in seven games during september for club and country.