Kane: It’s about more than bragging rights

HARRY KANE says today’s crunch clash with Arsenal means far more to Tottenham than just local pride.

For years, Spurs have been in the slipstream of their bitter rivals as Arsenal regularly pursued the Premier League title.

Now, the balance of power has shifted – and it is Kane’s Tottenham who are pushing to be champions.

“There is a bigger picture,” said the striker, as Spurs bid to catch Chelsea for the coveted No.1 spot in the table.

Arsenal will have to be content with a potential top-four spot and possibly the FA Cup.

Spurs are certain to finish above Arsenal if they beat them at White Hart Lane and Kane said: “For the fans, it would be a great moment – that would be fantastic.

“But, from our point of view, we have got bigger things to look forward to.

“We have to win the game and keep the pressure on as much as we can.”

Spurs start today four points behind Chelsea who kick off two hours earlier against Everton at Goodison Park.

A slip by Antonio Conte’s men and Tottenham are ready to pounce.

Kane has no doubt who is responsible for the club’s rise from the shadows of Arsenal – manager Mauricio Pochettino (above).

He added: “Since the gaffer came here, he has changed everything.

“You see the belief in the squad, you see the way we play.

“Sometimes we win 4-0 and play fantastically.

“Then, there are games when we have to battle, work hard to keep a clean sheet, dig deep and get a 1-0.”

A perfect illustration of that came against Crystal Palace last week, with a 1-0 win through a late Christian Eriksen strike at Selhurst Park.

“That shows we can do both sides of the game,” said Kane. “Now, we have got to do that until the end.” Spurs also showed they have a resolve, which has been lacking – especially last season when they folded in the pursuit of Leicester.

Spurs lost 4-2 to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final that left Kane “gutted”.

But Spurs regrouped and the squad were determined to bounce back against Palace.

Kane admitted: “It would have been a big boost for Chelsea if we had drawn or lost.

“They would probably have got the momentum. But we found a way to win from somewhere when, at times, it looked as if it would be 0-0.

“Christian the Magician found a way to pop up with an amazing goal.

“The gaffer has instilled steel into us that we have just got to win.

“We want to do well for him, we want to do well for the club and we want to do well for each other.”