New Straits Times

GUTSY KANE

Pochettino hails ‘ballsy’ striker for 100th Premier League goal

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LIVERPOOL score 100 Premier League goals is because you have big, big balls,” said Pochettino.

The England internatio­nal is the second quickest ever player to reach a Premier League century with only Alan Shearer bettering his return of 100 goals in 141 games.

“It’s great to be in that 100 club now, and it’s great to get something from the game after that rollercoas­ter of emotions,” said Kane.

Despite the late drama, Spurs still trail third-placed Liverpool by two points down in fifth in the race for a place in the top four.

Failure to make the Champions League next season will further fuel speculatio­n as to whether Spurs can retain even a man dubbed “one of our own” by the Tottenham faithful.

“Kane is one of the best players in the world, 100 per cent, if not the best pure striker in the world at the moment,” even Klopp admitted to the Daily Mail before kick-off.

However, for all the talent available to Pochettino, Spurs’ challenge remains undermined by their record on the road against their closest challenger­s.

Under Pochettino, Spurs have still won just one of 19 away trips to the rest of the Premier League’s top six at Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea.

The Argentine, though, insisted progress is being made after dominating possession at Anfield after falling behind to Salah’s third-minute opener.

“It was a fantastic performanc­e,” said Pochettino.

“Against a team that is so difficult when they are up on the score the control and performanc­e was amazing.

“The feeling in the dressing room from the team is that we dropped two points.”

Spurs had got off to the worst possible start when Salah latched onto a wayward backpass from Eric Dier to coolly slot past Hugo Lloris.

The visitors controlled the game after the break but needed a spectacula­r strike from an unlikely source to get back level when substitute Victor Wanyama smashed into the top corner with his first touch.

A frantic final 10 minutes ensued as Kane atoned for his poor first penalty and stayed a step ahead of Salah in their personal rivalry for the golden boot. AFP ball because I thought it was offside. But the second one, it’s not about who is where. In the 93rd minute you whistle a penalty when you are 100% sure.” Daily Mail

 ?? AFP PIC ?? Tottenham’s Erik Lamela goes down from a tackle by Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk leading to the second penalty on Sunday.
AFP PIC Tottenham’s Erik Lamela goes down from a tackle by Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk leading to the second penalty on Sunday.
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