Kane’s got eye on trophy life
NEVER TRY TELLING SILVERWARE-STARVED HARRY THE OLD CUP’S LOST HER LOOKS...
ANTONIO CONTE’S bid to deliver silverware in his first year as the Tottenham manager is alive and kicking.
Thrown out of the Europa Conference League by Uefa, thumped in the Carabao Cup semis by Chelsea, the FA Cup represented the last chance this term for the Italian to bag that long-elusive trophy for the North Londoners.
And the chase is still very much on after Harry Kane’s double and a lucky own-goal won this all-premier League, fourth-round showdown.
Eight-time FA Cup winners Spurs fight another day, but Brighton left here cursing a shocking opening 45 minutes. Their wait for a first ever taste of Wembley glory goes on.
Defeat was not the response Graham Potter was looking for after the Seagulls’ boss had been rattled pre-match when quizzed about the cup ambitions of ‘a club like Brighton’.
The build-up for Spurs focused on their activity in the January transfer window – and very much on the five outcasts who had left as opposed to the lesser-known arrivals from Juventus.
Conte’s own explanation for the underwhelming business last month is the club needing to resolve expensive past mistakes in the market before investing heavily in additional faces.
Whether he actually accepts that as a reasonable excuse time will tell.
Tottenham fans will argue they have seen it all before – over and over.
In these tricky situations a decent cup run never hurts.
Or, at least not losing in the early stages when blessed with the home advantage.
As good as Brighton are, losing would have been sure to crank up the heat on Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.
Hence, Conte, who lifted the cup as Chelsea manager, went with his strongest team, with his new boys on the bench.
And the hosts were handed the perfect start courtesy of Brighton’s suicidal passing out from at the back.
Keeper Robert Sanchez was guilty in the 12th minute with a clearance straight to Kane, who caught unaware could not convert. The England skipper made no mistake immediately after, though, as Adam Webster mis-controlled and Harry Winks put him in.
This time Kane took aim from the edge of the area and curled a cracker into the far corner.
They were two up when Emerson Royal ran half the length of the field and struck a cross that took a wicked deflection off Solly March over a helpless Sanchez.
Conte was jumping with delight while Kane pulled the strings alongside fit-again partner Heung-min Son.
It was the former’s exquisite clipped pass that nearly carved out a killer third but Son failed to execute at the far post.
Potter was fuming and his mood did not improve before the break when Jakub Moder blazed over a clear opportunity to get Brighton back into the contest.
On the evidence of their improved display, there must have been some harsh words in the away dressing room.
And when Yves Bissouma’s 63rdminute deflected drive deservedly reduced the deficit, one sensed a thrilling comeback.
Kane had other ideas, however, restoring order with his second three minutes later. The hat-trick was on in added-time from 22 yards, but Kane’s effort went high and wide. TOTTENHAM: Lloris 7; Roya 8, Romero 7 (Rodon 77), Sanchez 8, Davies 7; Reguilon 7, Winks 7 (Bentancur 77, 6), Hojberg 7, Moura 7 (Kulusevski 68, 6); Son 7 (Bergwijn 69, 6), Kane 9. Subs not used: Collini, Doherty, Sessegnon , White, Scarlett. BRIGHTON: Sanchez 5; Cucurella 6, Webster 6, Dunk 6, Bissouma 6, Lamptey 6 (Welbeck 70, 6); Gross 6, Lallana 6 (Veltman 46, 7), Moder 7 (Ferguson 79, 6), March 6; Maupay 7. Subs not used: Steele, Mcgill, Alzate, Duffy, Caicedo, Offiah. MAN OF THE MATCH: Harry Kane. Three Lions ace is back to his best as his deadly double underlined. REFEREE: Stuart Attwell 7.