- Tottenham sweep Southampton aside with 5-2 win at Wembley
- Kane scores hat-trick to lead way for Spurs
- Landmarks reached with goals, sensational goalscoring form applauded
- READ MORE: ‘Wouldn’t swap him for anyone’ – Tottenham fans, Shearer react to Harry Kane record as Arsenal fans have cheeky dig
Tottenham secured a 5-2 win over Southampton on Boxing Day, but the headlines will belong to striker Harry Kane after he bagged another hat-trick.
It didn’t take long for the hosts to find their stride at Wembley and although they won’t be happy with the goals conceded, with questions likely to be asked of Hugo Lloris, they were a joy to watch going forward at times.
With Kane up top to finish things off, it was a clinical display from Tottenham who will hope that results go their way and that they can stay in the top four heading into the New Year fixtures.
As for Kane, the 24-year-old broke Alan Shearer’s record having taken his tally to 39 Premier League goals in a calendar year, while he also surpassed Lionel Messi’s goal haul for the year as he moved to 56 with the Barcelona legend on 54.
If that wasn’t enough, Kane bagged his eighth hat trick of 2017, and that’s more than Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski, Edinson Cavani and Sergio Aguero combined, which is another indication of what an incredible year he has had.
Tottenham will be delighted with the three points, but it does come back to familiar failing in that they have to start winning trophies to silence their detractors and doubters completely.
Until then, Kane’s goals are fantastic, but there needs to be an end result too.
Lloris scores poorly with us as he flapped at both goals, but there were impressive displays from Jan Vertonghen and Eric Dier, along with attacking duo Dele Alli and Heung-Min Son who were instrumental in the victory.
However, our highest mark is naturally reserved for the man of the hour, and that’s Kane who gets a 10/10 and the Man of the Match award for his efforts.
Tottenham player ratings: Lloris 5; Aurier 7, Sanchez 7, Vertonghen 8, Rose 7; Dier 8, Dembele 7; Eriksen 7, Alli 9, Son 8; Kane 10.
Substitutes: Sissoko 6, Lamela 6, Winks N/A.
Most @premierleague goals in a calendar year:
37 – @HKane for @SpursOfficial in 2017
36 – @alanshearer for @Rovers in 1995
35 – Robin van Persie for @Arsenal in 2011
34 – @ThierryHenry for @Arsenal in 2004 pic.twitter.com/YFi7ce9aL5— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) December 26, 2017
.@HKane’s 2017:
.@premierleague record 39 goals in a calendar year
PL Golden Boot winner 2016-17
Current PL top scorer this season with 18
56 goals for club & country – most in Europe’s top 5 leagues
8 hat-tricks in all comps
PL-record 6 hat-tricks in a calendar year pic.twitter.com/Dj347AGCZf— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) December 26, 2017
It’s fair to say that Tottenham fans were delighted with what they saw in the game, and unsurprisingly it was Kane who took most of the plaudits.
As he continues to find the back of the net with such regularity, England boss Gareth Southgate will be hoping he can replicate it for his country next summer at the World Cup in Russia…
That was very fun. Merry Christmas, babe.
— Rich Arrowsmith (@RichArrowsmith) December 26, 2017
I was alive when Harry Kane played for Tottenham.
— Jack Clements (@JJC_SPURS) December 26, 2017
Harry Kane is the best player to grace a pitch.
— Chris Nano (@ChrisNano10) December 26, 2017
Double Kane’s wage RIGHT NOW
— jv (@John_D_Vincent) December 26, 2017
Great game but 2 weak goals which cannot happen – need to stamp that out but anyway #COYS and congrats to @HKane England’s best striker for a while
— Abu’l ‘eyse (@AbulEyse) December 26, 2017
Great team performance today, Dier and Rose were excellent today amongst others, great to see us back to winning ways, well done lads
— Delon Pillay (@delon_pillay) December 26, 2017
This is how @SpursOfficial you have to play with clubs like @SouthamptonFC. Good game, 2 goals lost stupidly and simple way. @HKane you are terrific in this season. @JanVertonghen good play in defensive. #BoxingDay #COYS #TOTSOU
— Mateusz Jama (@MateuszJama) December 26, 2017
Superb performance w/ some exhibition football & another great @HKane hat-rick. Good opportunity to gain max points in the Xmas fixtures & maintain campaign for Top 4. #THFC #COYS #PL
— Rocky Gill (@CllrRockyGill) December 26, 2017