Premier League: Harry Kane guides Tottenham to massive win

Kane and Dele Alli score against Watford at
Wembley as Spurs inch closer to Champions League qualification

One-Minute Read

Now five points clear of Chelsea, Tottenham remain fourth and
are just a point behind Liverpool, with a game more to play than
their rivals. Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday for a
match that could have a major bearing on who finishes third, fourth
and fifth.

“It was a game we had to win and we won, so I’m happy
about that,” said Tottenham manager Pochettino. “Maybe the
performance was not great, but the most important thing is to get
the three points.”

Describing the victory as “massive” in the context of
securing Champions League football next season, Pochettino added:
“It puts us in a very good position fighting for the top four and
that is the objective for the rest of the season.”

Tottenham couldn’t ask for an easier run-in with the
Lilywhites travelling to bottom-placed West Brom at the weekend
before hosting Newcastle United next Wednesday and Leicester City
on the final day of the season. Win all three and Spurs will finish
third, leaving Chelsea and Liverpool to fight it out for
fourth.

The fact Kane got back to business against Watford will be a big
boost for Tottenham given his uncharacteristically lean spell in
spring. The England striker had scored just twice in his last eight
matches before last night – and one of those was the controversial goal against Stoke when he
claimed Christian Eriksen’s free-kick had glanced his shoulder en
route to the back of the net – and he started against the Hornets
looking a man short on self-belief. 

Two opportunities came his way early on but he wasted
both, his touch not good enough in front of goal, but fortunately
for Tottenham there was no such diffidence from Dele Alli. The
England midfielder capitalised on good work from Eriksen to put the
hosts in front on 16 minutes.

Kane made it 2-0 three minutes into the second period,
firing home Kieran Trippier’s pull-back for a goal that pleased
both Pochettino and the watching Gareth Southgate.

Spurs came close to adding a third when Jan Vertonghen
headed against the post, but Watford created chances of their own
and Spurs had goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to thank for denying Andre
Gray and Richarlison.

“He is working hard to try to recover his real
performance,” said Pochettino, when asked about Kane. “He is
chasing [Mohamed Salah] but the most important thing is to score
goals for the team.”

He’s scored 38 this season, 27 of which have come in the
league, and Kane expressed his satisfaction at his latest effort
against Watford.

“I feel good,” he said. “I would like to have played
better over the last few games but so would the team. I feel good
and sharp, I could have a got a couple more [against Watford] but
I’m good and want to finish strong.”