Harry Kane scored his third hat-trick in nine games and helped Tottenham Hotspur go second in the Premier League table with a resounding 4-0 thrashing of Stoke City at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
All the goals came in the first half as the home side bounced back from their mid-week defeat in the Europa League in style. The fourth goal came from Dele Alli, and was set up by Kane’s inch-perfect through ball from the right-wing.
Mauricio Pochettino dominated proceedings from kick-off. For the opener, Kane combined well with midfielder Christian Eriksen to stab the ball home from inside the box. The second goal was pure class from the 23-year-old Englishman, who showed excellent balance from just outside the area to volley the ball into the net with his left foot.
The goals kept coming for Spurs, and Kane’s hat-trick came from a free-kick, which fortuitously hit the Stoke wall and rolled into the net. Kane then turned provider with an exquisite through ball, after racing ahead of defender Bruno Martins Indi. Alli, at the far post, made no mistake, and converted the chance.
Spurs slowed down the tempo in the second half and only threatened in patches, compared to their near-perfect show before the interval. Kane also completed 100 career goals, and became the joint-highest top scorer in the division alongside Everton’s Romelu Lukaku.
Brief score:
- Tottenham Hotspur 4 (Harry Kane x 3, Dele Alli) beat Stoke City 0