Pope happily soaks up the atmosphere
THE biblical rain that lashed from the hills above Burnley was far from seasonal.
Yet for Nick Pope, it could have been the waters in an oasis after a long march across the desert.
It had been 454 days since he last pulled on the Burnley goalkeeper’s shirt in a Premier League game, a year in the wilderness through a shoulder injury – and after the high of being part of the England squad that reached the World Cup semi-finals. His return looked easy enough, an apparent romp against a Saints side who showed an alarming lack of mental strength after going a goal down midway through the second half. Yet Pope, above, had made a vital contribution when the game was in the balance and the Saints were in the ascendancy, pulling off a superb fingertip save.
Pope said: “It’s just good to be back – really special. It has been tough to go from that sort of high, going to the World Cup, to being back in training for only a couple of days and then, 14 minutes into a game, being out for six months.
“It was tough to get my head around. At times it did get really tough. I tried to keep my spirits up, and the team spirit we have here helped me stay with it. I’m just glad it’s all behind me.”
Ashley Barnes produced a match-winning display with two fine goals and Johann Berg Gudmundsson added a third.
Eriksen has a year left on his contract and talk of a move to Real Madrid is set to continue while the Spanish transfer window remains open.
But Kane says he will still be welcome at White Hart Lane if he continues to show the attitude that helped debutant Tanguy Ndombele wipe out John McGinn’s early lead, before the England striker’s late double snatched the points.
“I’ve been playing with Chris for five or six years and know the qualities he had in terms of passes, assists and goals,” said Kane. “The most important thing is he gives everything for the team. There’s been speculation about his future but as long as he is training and playing hard, that is all we can ask for. What will be will be. We are happy to have him.
“The window being open abroad is out of our hands. From our view as players we do it on the pitch, we commit to the club and do as much as we can, and whatever happens outside of our control, then happens. We can’t do anything.”
Eriksen got a warm reception when introduced in the 64th minute and, although not directly responsible for the goals, the team lifted a gear.
Kane, leaner after a four-week break, was delighted to end his new-stadium duck. “I had the summer to think what it’d be like to score here,” he said. “It’s nice to get it. I had four weeks off, the most in a few years.”
The Spurs striker now has six goals in six Premier League games against the Midlanders. Date Mins Goals Assists Shots (on target) Result
MAY 11, 2014 90 0 0 3 2 3-0 win
NOV 2, 2014 32 1 0 2 2 2-1 win
APR 11, 2015 90 0 0 3 1 1-0 loss
NOV 2, 2015 90 1 0 3 2 3-1 win
MAR 13, 2016 90 2 0 7 4 2-0 win
AUG 10, 2019 90 2 0 8 2 3-1 win TOTAL it