Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 Everton: Kane double fires Spurs to victory

This match was billed as a battle of the Premier League’s two in-form strikers, Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku. It did not disappoint, as both players got their names on the scoresheet.

It was the Spurs man who broke the deadlock, plucking an absolute belter out of nothing.

The notorious tap in merchant cut inside from the left, spinning away from one defender before letting fly, unleashing a hammer of a strike from 30 yards into the bottom corner.

Joel Robles probably could have reacted sooner, but he made amends just a minute later. Kane was in again after some fancy footwork, but the Spanish goalkeeper stood up well to save from point blank range.

The goal seemed to wake up both the crowd and the team. Eriksen was momentarily through on goal, but poked a first-time effort just wide, then Wanyama curled one off the post with the keeper stranded.

Tottenham continued to pressure after the break. Robles got down smartly to save a Dele header, then Vertonghen stung the keeper’s hands after a mazy run from the back. When the breakthrough finally came, it was again Kane who hit the back of the net.

Dembélé and Dele jumped on a short pass out from Robles, the deflection fell kindly for Kane, who calmly slid home to double Spurs’ lead.

Tottenham looked to be cruising to a comfortable win, but an untimely slip gave Everton a glimmer of hope with 10 minutes to go. Vertonghen fell just as Lukaku picked up the ball outside the box, allowing his compatriot through on goal where he powered a right-footed shot past Lloris.

Kane had a gilt-edged chance to complete his hat-trick, but couldn’t chip over Robles. Enner Valencia was nearly in at the other end after a botched headed clearance from Lloris, but his deflected effort dribbled harmlessly away.

Just as things were starting to get really nervy, Dele appeared to put the game on ice. He caught the Everton defense napping with a clever run and flicked a Winks cross home. Pochettino enjoyed it.

Everton pulled one back almost immediately, Valencia sweeping home a free-kick, but Spurs held on to secure three points.

The win sends Tottenham four points clear of Liverpool and seven back of Chelsea. Next up for Spurs is the FA Cup Sixth Round tie against Millwall next Sunday.

Reaction

• Spurs have now won nine straight Premier League home games, a club record. They also last failed to score in a home league game 14 months and 22 games ago. Really gonna miss White Hart lane.
• Kane has scored 14 times in 12 competitive appearances in 2017. Our very own one-season wonder is also the first Spurs player since Jimmy Greaves to score 20 goals in three straight seasons.
• Kane is now all alone atop the Premier League top scorers list with 19 goals.
• Lost in all the (deserved) love for Kane, Dele’s goal puts him on 13 for the season, good for seventh in the league. That’s more than Aguero, Hazard, Mané and several other far more heralded stars.
• People are mad online about Kane and Dele’s handshake after the first goal. Those people do not enjoy fun.

• In other fun news, Spurs Ladies are heading to their second consecutive FAWPL cup final. #COYS!