Kane on fire
Kane inspires Spurs to second place as Arsenal keep pace
Tottenham Hotspur strengthened their push for the English Premier League title with a 4-0 stroll over West Bromwich Albion on a special day for their hat-trick hero Harry Kane. Kane, who became a father for the first time last Sunday, celebrated with a treble as Spurs coasted to a surprisingly easy win – their seventh straight victory in all competitions – to move into second in the table. Their north London rivals Arsenal followed suit by beating hapless Swansea with the same 4-0 scoreline at the Liberty Stadium to move to third.
Harry Kane scored a stylish hat-trick as Tottenham Hotspur climbed to second place in the English Premier League with a classy 4-0 demolition of West Bromwich Albion.
The England striker, who became a father for the first time last weekend, took his tally for the season to 15 goals in all competitions as Mauricio Pochettino’s side recorded a sixth successive league win yesterday.
Their north London rivals Arsenal moved up to third place after also winning 4-0 at Swansea while another London side West Ham chalked up a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace.
“The first 45 minutes was fantastic. It was wonderful football,” said Spurs manager Pochettino, whose side ended Chelsea’s 13-game winning streak on their previous league outing.
“I think after Chelsea it was a big challenge to keep the momentum and show that we are mature enough to fight for big things and today was a very good example of that.”
The only low point for Spurs was an ankle injury that forced centreback Jan Vertonghen off midway through the second half. Pochettino said the early signs looked “very bad”.
Kane put Spurs in front from Christian Eriksen’s cute pass in the 12th minute at White Hart Lane before a shot from Eriksen deflected in off Gareth McAuley for an own goal.
Kyle Walker crossed for Kane to hook in Spurs’ third goal in the 77th minute and Kane completed his hattrick five minutes later with a volley from Dele Alli’s clever scooped pass.
Arsenal moved above Liverpool, who visit arch rivals Manchester United today, on goal difference after a pair of own goals helped them beat struggling Swansea.
Olivier Giroud broke the deadlock in the 37th minute, slamming home his fifth goal in five games after Mesut Ozil’s header hit Alfie Mawson.
Alex Iwobi’s shot deflected in off Jack Cork early in the second half and the Nigerian youngster’s cross was then turned in by Kyle Naughton for a second own goal.
Alexis Sanchez sealed victory with a 73rd-minute volley that took his tally for the campaign to 14 goals.
“We were fortunate with the goals, but the chances were there,” said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who revealed Giroud had sustained an ankle injury.
It was a first home league game to forget for Swansea’s new manager Paul Clement, whose team sank to the foot of the standings.
Marco Silva had a more memorable league bow as Hull manager, with Abel Hernandez scoring twice and Tyrone Mings putting through his own own goal as they came from behind to beat Bournemouth 3-1.
Sunderland slipped below Hull to 19th place after a dispiriting 3-1 home defeat by Stoke.
Marko Arnautovic scored twice for Stoke in the first 22 minutes and Peter Crouch headed in his 99th Premier League goal before Jermain Defoe replied for the hosts.
West Ham finished a turbulent week by winning 3-0 at home to Palace as goals by Sofiane Feghouli and Manuel Lanzini sandwiched a sensational Andy Carroll bicycle kick. West Ham were without Dimitri Payet, last year’s Player of the Season, after manager Slaven Bilic revealed he has asked to leave the club.
Joey Barton marked his return to Burnley, after a short-lived stint at Rangers, by scoring a 78th-minute free-kick to earn his side a 1-0 home win over Southampton.
There were emotional scenes at Vicarage Road, where Watford’s fans paid tribute to late former manager Graham Taylor, who died on Thursday aged 72, prior to their side’s goalless draw with Middlesbrough. — AFP