Kane turns into Spurs' report scorer as Man Metropolis undergo title blow

Harry Kane mentioned turning into Tottenham’s all-time report scorer was a “magical second” as his 267th purpose for the membership sealed a 1-0 win in opposition to Manchester Metropolis that severely broken the champions’ bid to retain the Premier League title.

Kane’s historic first-half strike on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium took him previous Jimmy Greaves into sole possession of the hallowed report.

Greaves had held the milestone since 1970 earlier than Kane moved stage with him in his earlier look in opposition to Fulham on January 23.

Kane’s landmark second additionally made him solely the third participant to attain 200 Premier League objectives after Alan Shearer (260) and Wayne Rooney (208).

“It’s arduous to place into phrases. It’s only a magical second. I used to be so determined to do it with a win as properly,” Kane mentioned.

“To do it in entrance of the house followers was a second I’ll always remember.”

It has been an unforgettable interval for Kane, who drew stage with Rooney as England’s joint report scorer on 53 objectives when he netted in opposition to France on the World Cup in December.

Passing Greaves had grow to be more and more inevitable for the prolific Kane, though mockingly Metropolis might have ended his report chase if they’d been profitable of their try and signal him in 2021.

Nonetheless, Kane’s outstanding purpose feats appeared a distant dream throughout a tough begin to his profession that featured a number of failed mortgage spells earlier than he lastly emerged as a star.

Greaves, who died aged 81 in 2021, is thought to be one of the crucial pure goalscorers in football historical past.

For Kane to be alongside such a legendary participant is a tribute to his predatory instincts and his perseverance.

“Once I began enjoying, it was by no means in my creativeness to attain 200 Premier League objectives. To be there now’s simply thrilling,” Kane mentioned.

“Jimmy Greaves is a whole hero, among the finest strikers to play the game. To overhaul him is a big second.”

The 29-year-old’s first Tottenham purpose got here again in 2011 in opposition to Shamrock Rovers within the Europa League.

If that was a low-key option to begin an unimaginable profession, Kane’s report strike carried much more significance.

Arsenal’s shock 1-0 defeat at struggling Everton on Saturday had given Metropolis renewed hope they may overhaul the leaders.

However as an alternative Kane’s nineteenth purpose in all competitions this season leaves second-placed Metropolis trailing 5 factors behind Arsenal, who’ve a game in hand and host Pep Guardiola’s males in an important conflict on February 15.

“We began rather well, however after we made a mistake they punished us,” Guardiola mentioned.

“We aren’t within the place to consider being champions.”

– Kane makes historical past –

With out boss Antonio Conte after emergency surgical procedure to take away his gallbladder, Tottenham have been led by his assistant Cristian Stellini and this outcome lifted the recuperating Italian’s spirits.

Tottenham’s win moved them inside one level of fourth-placed Newcastle as they chase Champions League qualification.

“I spoke to Antonio on the telephone simply now and he mentioned congratulations to the staff and particularly Harry,” Stellini mentioned.

“Harry, in his DNA, he has football. He’s a ‘GOAT’ on this league, on this sport. He is a superb instance.”

It took Kane simply quarter-hour to make historical past as Rodri’s careless move on the sting of the Metropolis space allowed Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to rob Manuel Akanji.

Hojbjerg slipped his move to Kane and, with immortality in his sights, the striker guided a barely scuffed low shot previous Ederson with typical effectivity.

Sprinting away to take in the acclaim, Kane waved in the direction of his household, who have been sitting under a scoreboard emblazoned with the message “Congratulations Harry” alongside footage of him celebrating earlier objectives for the membership.

The England captain was serenaded by Tottenham followers chanting “Harry Kane, he is one in all our personal” because the product of the membership’s youth academy walked again to the centre circle beaming a broad grin.

Riyad Mahrez was inches away from equalising when he crashed a fierce volley in opposition to the crossbar.

In a tense finale, Tottenham needed to play the final three minutes with 10 males after Cristian Romero was dismissed for a second reserving as he chopped down Jack Grealish.

smg/nr