PRINCE HARRY
Kane makes 2017 a year to remember:
WHETHER you subscribe to the current obsession for goal tallies measured by the calendar or consider it a meaningless affectation of the modern game, one thing cannot be disputed. The year of 2017 has been a simply astonishing one in the life of Harry Kane.
It was a year in which he established himself among the highest echelon of the world’s attacking footballers, scoring at such a phenomenal rate as to leave Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo trailing.
Not since 2009, when David Villa topped this particular chart, has it been anyone other than Messi or Ronaldo. Suddenly it is Kane, toppling records at every turn and helping himself to another hat-trick as Tottenham secured a comfortable victory.
His first, a close-range header from a free-kick delivered by Christian Eriksen, took him clear of Alan Shearer to set a new record of Premier League goals scored in a calendar year. His second, a tap-in after a slick passing move, saw him leapfrog Messi to become the year’s top goalscorer in the major European leagues.
His third was a confident dink over the falling frame of Fraser Forster to complete another hat-trick.
He went home with the match ball, his eighth in 12 months, and after his treble at Burnley he will start 2018 at Swansea on a hat-trick of hat-tricks.
For the record, Kane closed 2017 with a total of 56 goals in all competitions for club and country and 39 in the Premier League, three clear of Shearer’s record from 1995. For those who prefer their goal statistics served the old-fashioned way, he has 24 Spurs goals this season and 18 in the Premier League.
Either way the numbers are staggering and against a shambolic Southampton, there might have been more. He started by burying a decent chance into the side-netting, a chip sailed over just before half-time and an ambitious volley grazed a post in the second half. Such is Kane’s prolific strike rate that any missed opportunity catches the eye.
Tottenham fans were urging him to take aim whenever the ball came his way. Regardless of where his last effort may have ended up, he will always opt for the most direct route to goal.
One thought exists above all others in his mind and it is the mark of great goalscorers. His focus is true, his attitude impeccable and team-mates have learned to harness his gift.
Eriksen’s dead-ball delivery for the opener was exquisite. Even if the marking left much to be desired, Kane could barely miss.
For his second, the crisp exchange between Eriksen, Dele Alli and Son Heung-min sliced Southampton open and presented him with another simple finish.
In the second half, the supporting cast got in on the act. Alli made it 3-0, cutting inside from the left on to his right foot and curled the ball low inside the far post. Son claimed the fourth, a sweeping counter-attack orchestrated by Alli after a poor pass by Nathan Redmond.
It was a seventh goal in 12 games for Son and perhaps the day’s best example of how soft Southampton have become.
With only one win in 11, they seem to be such a pleasure to play against.
There was no Virgil van Dijk, not in the squad and expected to be sold when the transfer market opens next month. There was no Charlie Austin, who started a threematch ban for kicking Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossl in the face.
Full backs Cedric Soares and Ryan Bertrand were injured and the team seemed miles off the pace during a first half when the closest threat to the Spurs goal came when Danny Rose almost scored in his own net. His header back to Hugo Lloris was a fraction too heavy and the goalkeeper took some pace off the ball with his fingertips and raced back to scoop it away.
Southampton summoned more purpose in the second half. Shane Long seized on a mistake by Eric Dier and burst clear but could not beat Lloris and Mario Lemina shook the bar with a fierce drive from 20 yards.
Boufal reduced the arrears to 4-1, beating Lloris with power at the near post before Kane raced away to score Tottenham’s fifth.
Dusan Tadic made it 5-2 when Lloris failed to clear a corner but the away fans were not fooled. Some turned on manager Mauricio Pellegrino, singing he would ‘be sacked in the morning’.
Saints are sinking into trouble. Kane is soaring into a golden future. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Aurier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Rose; Dier, Dembele (Sissoko 54min); Eriksen, Alli (Winks 84), Son (Lamela 76); Kane. Subs not used: Vorm, Trippier, Davies, Llorente. Booked: None. SOUTHAMPTON (4-2-3-1): Forster; Stephens, Yoshida, Hoedt, Targett (McQueen 84); Romeu, Lemina (Gabbiadini 64); Redmond (Tadic 64), Hojbjerg, Boufal; Long. Subs not used: McCarthy, Davis, Ward-Prowse, Pied. Booked: Hojbjerg, Long. Referee: Graham Scott. Attendance: 57,297. Man of the match: Harry Kane.