Late Kane header gives Spurs win at Palace
LONDON: Harry Kane atoned for two surprising misses by heading in a late winner as Tottenham beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in the Premier League yesterday to stay firmly in the hunt for Champions League qualification.
The England striker got on the end of Christian Eriksen’s deep corner to nod over Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and into the net in the 88th minute, just when it looked like the injury-depleted hosts would hold on for an unlikely point.
Earlier, Kane had a shot saved from the edge of the six-yard box after a defensive mistake in the 10th minute, then sidefooted wide in the 54th with the goal at his mercy after meeting Eriksen’s lofted pass.
In the final 10 minutes, Serge Aurier mis-hit a shot from even closer in and Kane screwed an effort wide before finally getting his 24th league goal of the season, moving one clear of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. It was his 150th goal for Tottenham in all competitions.
Palace, whose injury crisis deepened when defender James Tomkins limped off late on, defended stoutly but couldn’t hang on for a point that would have lifted the team a point clear of the relegation zone. They are only out of the bottom three on goal difference.
Tottenham were two points behind second-place Liverpool, with fellow topfour rivals Manchester United and Chelsea meeting later last night.
Meanwhile Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp hailed Salah’s insatiable appetite for goals after the Egyptian continued his hot streak in a 4-1 victory over West Ham at Anfield on Saturday.
After scoring for the sixth straight game, Salah has scored 31 times in all competitions this season — already equalling Luis Suarez’s best haul for the Reds in the 201314 campaign.
“I like Mo’s desire for goals,” Klopp said. “Mo is a boy who is full of greed to score goals.”
Salah also provided the assist for Emre Can to open the scoring from a corner before Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane also got on the scoresheet on another prolific day for Klopp’s front three as Liverpool broke through the 100-goal mark for the season.