Kane couldn’t continue after injuring his ankle in a collision with Bournemouth keeper Asmir Begovic shortly before Dele Alli cancelled out Junior Stanislas’ opener for the Cherries.

But Mauricio Pochettino’s side overcame the upset of their Champions League last-16 exit against Juventus on Wednesday, to win convincingly through Son Heung-min’s double and Serge Aurier’s late far-post header.

Bournemouth, who remain 12th, thought they had rescued a point via Callum Wilson’s 84th-minute strike but referee Mike Dean disallowed it for a shove on Spurs defender Davinson Sanchez, before the visitors scored their two late goals.

Tottenham and England will check on the fitness of Alli, who needed treatment for an injury before being replaced late on, as did left-back Danny Rose, who was making his first top-flight appearance of the year.

It was Pochettino’s 150th league win but it was a rare defeat for his counterpart Howe, whose side had been beaten just one in their past 10 league fixtures – only Tottenham lost fewer games in that period.

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Source: BBC

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Mauricio Pochettino’s side were 2-0 down inside 10 minutes after Gonzalo Higuain followed up a sumptuous volley with a penalty, awarded for Ben Davies’ foul on Federico Bernardeschi.

Harry Kane started the fightback after rounding Gianluigi Buffon following Deli Alli’s threaded pass and Higuain then missed a penalty for the hosts with the last kick of the first half, following Serge Aurier’s poor challenge on Douglas Costa.

Spurs dominated possession against the Italian champions and got their reward when Christian Eriksen’s low free-kick evaded Buffon to give Spurs the edge going into the second leg at Wembley on 7 March.

Spurs remain unbeaten since 16 December, and Pochettino said: “We are more mature. The team is growing and have stepped up in this aspect. I think the team was amazing in the way they reacted.”
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By:BBC

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The Spurs and England striker headed home his 37th league goal of 2017 on 22 minutes to surpass Alan Shearer’s landmark, which was set during his time at Blackburn in 1995.

Kane then added two more either side of half-time to bring his total for the year – for both club and country – to 56, two more than Barcelona and Argentina striker Lionel Messi.

Before Kane’s third, Dele Alli had made it 3-0 on 49 minutes when he drilled in from outside the area, before setting up Son Heung-min two minutes later, who powered a confident finish past Fraser Forster.

Southampton, without top scorer Charlie Austin, got off the mark when Sofiane Boufal struck low under Hugo Lloris, and Dusan Tadic added a second with a lofted effort.

Despite a second-half recovery, Saints never looked like spoiling the Spurs party and have now gone two months without a win in the Premier League.

Spurs, meanwhile, replace Liverpool in fourth place in the table, with the Reds playing Swansea in Tuesday’s late kick-off.

It was an impressive display from Mauricio Pochettino’s side, but the game will always be remembered for Kane’s record-breaking day, as he cemented his status as one of the top flight’s most prolific strikers.

Speaking about his 22-year record being taken, Shearer tweeted: “You’ve had a magnificent 2017, Harry Kane. You deserve to hold the record of most Premier League goals in a calendar year. Well done and keep up the good work.”

Harry Kane’s record-breaking 2017

• Kane reached his goal-scoring record in 36 games – six fewer than Shearer in 1995
• The 24-year-old has scored more league goals this season than Bournemouth, West Brom, Swansea, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Huddersfield
• He is the first player in Premier League history to score six hat-tricks in a single calendar year
• Kane has scored eight Premier League hat-tricks, as many as Thierry Henry and Michael Owen – only Alan Shearer (11) and Robbie Fowler (9) have more in the competition.
• Kane has scored 56 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions for Tottenham and England in 2017. He is Europe’s top scorer over the past 12 months in the five major countries (England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France)
• The Spurs striker has now scored 96 Premier League goals for the club – one off Teddy Sheringham’s record

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Source: BBC Sport

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The Tottenham striker equalled Alan Shearer’s Premier League mark of 36 goals in a calendar year, set in 1995, with another hat-trick in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Burnley.

Kane’s fifth hat-trick of the year lifted him to 93 Premier League goals in total, but he has some way to go to match Shearer’s all-time best of 260.

“Of course you dream about it, but I’d be silly to look that far ahead I think,” Kane said. “I’ve still got a long way to go. A lot can happen in football.

“Hopefully I can stay fit, stay sharp and we’ll see what happens. Maybe if I get to 200 and I’ve still got a few more years left then I’ll start thinking about it.

“But for now I’m concentrating on each game. I’ve had a great 2017 and hopefully, for me, it’s an improved 2018 and I get even better.”

Alan Shearer scored 260 Premier League goals his career

The England striker will bid to break Shearer’s calendar-year mark in Tottenham’s lunchtime clash with Southampton on Boxing Day but insisted the team comes before any personal landmarks.

“Of course, always,” he said. “I’ve always said that and that will always be the case.

“I’m the striker, so a lot of the time I get the praise and get spoken about, but it’s so important that the team does well. “But now, obviously equal, yeah I’m full of confidence going into Tuesday. But most importantly for me it’s the wins that matter and Southampton’s going to be another tough game.”

Harry Kane’s hat-trick against Burnley was his fifth in the Premier League this calendar year

Kane defended team-mate Dele Alli, who quickly adopted the role of pantomime villain on Saturday, when Tottenham halted a five-game winless run on the road in the top flight.

Alli was under the spotlight following his reckless tackle on Kevin De Bruyne in the recent defeat at Manchester City and, in only the fourth minute at Turf Moor, he was booked after lunging in on Charlie Taylor.

‘Alli not malicious’

Eric Dier insists his Tottenham team-mate Dele Alli is not malicious after the England midfielder was criticised for a late challenge on Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne.

Eric Dier insists his Tottenham team-mate Dele Alli is not malicious after the England midfielder was criticised for a late challenge on Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne.

He further incensed the home fans, who felt he dived when challenged by Kevin Long in the area to earn Spurs an early penalty, duly dispatched by Kane, and was roundly booed thereafter.

“He’s a great person and he’s a great player,” Kane said. “He’s got that aggressive side to him and that’s what makes him who he is.

“I don’t think he stepped over the mark at all (at Turf Moor). I thought the penalty was definitely a penalty.

Kane says Dele Alli played the role of a pantomime villain at Turf Moor

“People are going to talk and in football there’s always someone criticising you, so it’s about how you cope with that and I think he’s doing well.

“It makes him play better. You’ve seen him, he was fantastic. Maybe he fed off the crowd. He was the pantomime villain out there.”

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It was a game to forget for Dejan Lovren, who made mistakes in the build-up to Spurs’ first two goals and he was hauled off after just 31 minutes.

He was not the only one guilty of kamikaze defending, though, with Simon Mignolet and Joel Matip both major contributors to Spurs’ goal flurry.

Kane and Son Heung-min took full advantage with an early double before Mohamed Salah pulled one back for Liverpool. Dele Alli and Kane, however, struck either side of half-time to put the result beyond doubt.

 

It is the third time in nine Premier League games Liverpool have now conceded three goals or more and this thrashing against a fellow top-four rival showed why only the most unlikely of transformations could see them challenge for the title this season.

Defeat leaves Jurgen Klopp’s side ninth, 12 points behind Manchester City already, while Tottenham cut the gap to five after moving level on 20 points with Manchester United.

For Spurs, this was also a statement win at Wembley, perhaps their best here since adopting their new home, and in front of a Premier League record crowd of 80,827. The attendance topped the 76,098 that watched Manchester United beat Blackburn 4-1 at Old Trafford in March 2007.

The only blip on Mauricio Pochettino’s afternoon came in the 87th minute as Kane had to be substituted. The striker went off holding his hamstring.

Liverpool were chasing a third consecutive clean sheet but any suggestion their problems at the back have eased were extinguished in the first 12 minutes.

Trippier caused chaos with a speculative chip forward as Lovren was caught out of position, Mignolet rushed out but failed to intercept, and Kane simply steered the ball away from the goalkeeper. He cushioned into an empty net for his 16th goal in 13 games.

It was a dreadful goal to concede but the next eight minutes later was worse. Hugo Lloris caught James Milner’s cross and tossed the ball downfield. Lovren missed the header, allowing Kane to sprint free and square to Son, who duly slotted home.

Tottenham should have made it three. Son was involved again, latching onto a straight ball between Lovren and Matip – but his half-volley this time crashed against the crossbar.

A frenetic opening half an hour, however, took another unexpected turn as Liverpool pulled a goal back.

Kane was unfortunate not be awarded a foul after being kicked in the leg but one pass from Jordan Henderson freed the lightning-quick Salah. The Egyptian outpaced Jan Vertonghen and Serge Aurier before scuffing past Lloris.

Son and Kane were still nipping in behind Liverpool’s back-line almost at will and Lovren paid the price by coming off. If injury was the cause it was not obvious.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaced him and Joe Gomez pushed inside to centre-half, with Emre Can dropping into right-back.

There was still time for one more individual error just before half-time, however, as Matip nodded Eriksen’s free-kick straight to Alli and the midfielder volleyed in for his first league goal since August.

Liverpool started the second half a bit brighter but it was not long before their defensive frailties were exposed again.

This time Mignolet was at fault as he flapped at Trippier’s cross and while Vertonghen’s effort was cleared off the line by Roberto Firmino, Kane was on hand to slam in the rebound.

Liverpool pushed for a consolation and Lloris made two excellent saves to push a curling Philippe Coutinho shot onto the post and deny Salah a second with his legs.

Kane hobbled off late on but showed little discomfort when he re-entered the pitch to congratulate his team-mates after full-time.

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Source: TalkSport

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Kane – who also scored twice in Spurs’ opening win over Borussia Dortmund – put his side ahead in the 39th minute, slotting into the bottom-left corner from Toby Alderweireld’s pass.

The England striker then calmly stroked in Moussa Sissoko’s cross from the edge of the penalty area in the 62nd minute to double the lead.

He completed his hat-trick five minutes later with a header into the bottom corner.

Kane’s three goals were Tottenham’s first three shots on target in the match, and Mauricio Pochettino’s side were lucky not to concede earlier.

Apoel hit the crossbar through Igor de Camargo’s fierce shot in the 19th minute, while Hugo Lloris was forced into two smart saves after the break with the score 1-0.

But Kane’s clinical performance was the difference and he has now scored six hat-tricks in 2017 and five goals in the Champions League this season.

The win takes Tottenham level on points with Real Madrid at the top of Group H and importantly six points clear of Borussia Dortmund, who lost at home against Real.

Kane inspires depleted Spurs

Tottenham were without key players Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen through suspension, as well as the ill Christian Eriksen, for their trip to Cyprus but Kane ensured Spurs did not slip up against the side expected to be the weakest in the group.

His hat-trick was a ‘perfect’ one – his first goal coming with his left foot, the second his right foot and third with his head.

Although different in their finishes, Kane’s goals were alike in the way he showed uncanny composure to score from Spurs’ only clear chances on the night.

There has been plenty of debate as to whether Kane is world class but he has now scored six goals in his past four games in Europe’s elite club competition.

The England striker has also scored 11 goals for club and country this month, having failed to score in August.

After the match he rightfully paid tribute to the excellent delivery for each of his goals from Alderweireld, Sissoko and Kieran Trippier, but this was Kane’s night.

Improved Spurs strongly placed in Group H

Last season’s Champions League campaign was one of frustration for Spurs as they finished third behind Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen and only won two of their six matches.

But this season Tottenham have as many wins in two matches and sit in prime position in the group as they look to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 2010-11.

They now face back-to-back champions Real Madrid in consecutive games, firstly at the Bernabeu on 17 October.

Spurs still have to travel to Dortmund to play the current Bundesliga leaders but they will do so knowing they would likely progress with a draw at Westfalenstadion, were they to repeat their victory over Apoel at home.

The north London club have an identical record to Real Madrid after two games and, with Kane in his current form, may well fancy their chances against a side who have only taken 11 points from 18 in La Liga.

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Source: BBC Sport

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The Spanish striker had been a reported target for Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte after the pair worked together at Juventus, but joined Tottenham after Pochettino convinced him of the club’s ambition.

Llorente made his first appearance for Tottenham on Wednesday night after coming on as an 87th-minute substitute in the 3-1 win over Dortmund.

“The truth is that Chelsea have been after me for a long time but at the end you know how this works. At the very last minute Pochettino called me and convinced me [to join Tottenham],” said the 32-year-old.

Llorente was one of four summer signings made by Mauricio Pochettino

“The Tottenham project is impressive. They have done very well in the last few years and I think I fit very well with this project. I think I can help them a lot.

“I’m very happy because at the end everything came out perfect. Tottenham are an amazing club with a wonderful project and I think I fit in very well. I want to put my contribution on it and hopefully I can score many goals to help the club to achieve their targets.

“Pochettino was someone very important, without doubt. I knew him from when I was in Spain. There, in what is a nice story, I made my debut against him [for Athletic Bilbao against Espanyol] at San Mames. He was at the end of his career and I was at the start of mine.

“Later, he was manager of Espanyol and I was an Athletic player, and we competed against each other various other times. Now I’m at his service for Spurs, and I really want to give him my best.”

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Source: Sky Sports

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The Cameroon international, 23, was on loan to the Ligue 1 club last season, scoring four goals.

Njie joined Spurs from Lyon in 2015 for a reported £10m and made 14 appearances for the club, though he suffered a serious knee injury in December 2015.

“We wish Clinton all the best for the future,” Tottenham said.

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Leaders Chelsea will temporarily go seven points clear if they win at Everton on Sunday (14:05 BST) before Spurs entertain Arsenal (16:30 BST).

But Conte wants his side and Spurs to start the last three matches at the same time.

“Try and keep it the same hour, the same days to rest,” said the Italian.

Chelsea start this weekend four points clear at the top with five games to go.

After Sunday, the only time the top two play on the same day is on 21 May, the final day of the season, when Chelsea host bottom club Sunderland and Tottenham visit struggling Hull City (both 15:00 BST)

Conte added: “When you arrive at the last three games, when you see there are two or three teams very close to fight for the title, you have to find a solution not to give advantage for one team or another.

“Try and keep it the same hour, the same days to rest.”

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Source: BBC

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