Sports
Kane shines as Spurs thump Stoke 4-0 to go second
England striker Harry Kane struck three times in 23 minutes to earn a third hat-trick in nine games as Tottenham Hotspur hammered Stoke City 4-0 on Sunday to move second in the English Premier League.
The 23-year old got the home team ahead in 14 minutes, before doubling it with a finishing with his left foot from Christian Eriksen’s corner on the half-hour mark. And Kane completed the hat-trick five minutes later, to reach 12 goals in 11 games in all competitions since the start of 2017.
“He’s playing at a very good level. He’s one of the best strikers in the world. He deserves it because he’s a great professional,” Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, speaking about hat-trick hero Harry Kane.
Dele Alli then added a fourth first-half goal for the hosts, sliding in to convert Kane’s cross from the right as an abject Stoke fell apart at White Hart Lane.
Read Also: EPL: Chelsea extend lead, Hull, Watford draw as Everton continue unbeaten
“Dele is very mature and a great boy. I am very pleased for him, he had a difficult few days but it was a good response. He was fantastic on the pitch,” Pochettino said of the fourth goal scorer.
The win came after Spur suffered from Europa League elimination last week to Genk, as they eased to a victory that takes them above Manchester City in the league table, although they remain 10 points behind leaders Chelsea.
“The game’s done in the first half. The manner of the goals we conceded was not good enough at any level. The second half was zero conceded and I guess that’s a positive but that’s because Spurs didn’t push,” Stoke boss Mark Hughes said after the game.
“We were too passive and not doing enough to stop balls going to our goal. Clearly Spurs are very good but if you allow teams time and space then good players will hurt you.”
Tottenham will now host Everton at White Hart Lane on Sunday 5 March, while Stoke play the day before, at home to Middlesbrough.
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