Fearless Dane even fights off goal-machine Kane to claim Spurs’ winner
Mame Biram Diouf has scored as many Premier League goals in 2017-18 (6) as he did in his previous two campaigns combined. ■■Dele Alli has been directly involved in six goals in his five Premier League appearances against Stoke (four goals, two assists). ■■Alli has provided more league assists this season than in any other campaign (10). IT takes something special to stop Harry Kane from scoring but his team-mate Christian Eriksen bravely managed to do so with his disputed match winner.
The England striker celebrated what he felt was his 36th goal of the season as he stretched to reach Eriksen’s free-kick but a subsequent review by the Premier League Match Centre awarded a second goal of the game to the Danish midfielder.
But Kane was convinced he had scored, insisting afterwards: “It was my goal. It flicked off my shoulder and went in.”
It had been a pretty anonymous afternoon for the striker before then but his manager Mauricio Pochettino was happy to let Kane claim the glory in his first full game after injury.
The Spurs boss said: “I have not had time to see it again. It is massive for a striker to find the net. That is natural. If Harry feels he scored it is fantastic for him to build his confidence and trust after his injury.
“But the most important thing is three points for us. We are still in the race for the top four. It would be fantastic for the club to finish in the top four for the third time in a row.
“To be able to play in the Champions League in a new stadium next season would be a fantastic achievement.”
It was not always easy for Spurs and Stoke were able to contain a lacklustre opposition during the opening half. The Potters could