Kane a step

HARRY KANE got another goal closer to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in his quest for the Golden Boot last night.

But if Tottenham thought that Kane’s 26th league goal of the season had opened the floodgates in a match they had dominated, they were mistaken as a feisty Brighton side pegged them back within two minutes, Pascal Gross scoring from a penalty to give their hopes of Premier League survival a massive boost.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino made five changes to the team beaten by Manchester City and with an eye on Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United at Wembley.

They included bringing Toby Alderweireld into the defence for his first appearance since the 2-2 draw at Rochdale in the FA Cup.

Victor Wanyama, Moussa Sissoko, Serge Aurier and Lucas Moura also came into the side, Knockaert’s shot was deflected by Ben Davies and Dale Stephens’ flick caused momentary alarm in the visitors’ defence after good work by Knockaert and Gross.

Knockaert, last season’s Championship player of the year, was making his first start after a three-match ban and looked full of determination and attacking intent.

But it was Tottenham doing most of the attacking even so. Son had a dangerous low cross cleared at full stretch by Gaetan Bong and a shot saved by Matty Ryan at his near post.

Kane twisted away from Shane Duffy into a yard of space on the half-hour but lost his footing and shot well over the crossbar.

Brighton were keen to exploit any opportunities for a quick break and Jose Izquierdo was close to reaching a deep cross from Gross.

But Tottenham could have scored twice in first-half injury time. First Ryan grasped Kane’s free-kick after Knockaert had