Harry Kane’s record-breaking goal pushed Tottenham to a 1-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday to further dent the champions’ hopes of retaining the Premier League title.
Kane slotted home after 15 minutes and moved past the late
Jimmy Greaves as Spurs’ all-time leading scorer on 267 goals.
It proved enough to keep up Tottenham’s excellent recent
home record against City, which could have moved two points behind first-place
Arsenal following its defeat at Everton on Saturday.
Fifth-place Spurs instead claimed a third victory from their
last four matches against Pep Guardiola’s team — despite Cristian Romero’s late
sending-off for a second yellow card — to aid the recovery of absent manager
Antonio Conte, who is still in Italy after having his gallbladder removed on
Wednesday.
Despite Conte recovering from surgery, he was involved in
team selection and deadline-day signing Pedro Porro was only on the bench for
Spurs with City surprisingly naming Kevin De Bruyne among the substitutes, too.
The visitors had seen Arsenal drop points a day earlier and
signaled their intentions with Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez having shots
blocked in the opening exchanges.
City was dominating possession but soon felt the familiar
feeling of trailing to Tottenham — and it proved a record-breaking goal.
Eric Dier urged his teammates to press higher and
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg stole in ahead of Rico Lewis outside the away penalty
area to intercept Rodri’s pass and slip the ball into the path of Kane, who
scuffed an effort beyond goalkeeper Ederson and into the corner.
The screens inside the stadium acknowledged Kane’s
achievement before the striker waved to his family in the West Stand.
Bookings followed with Rodrigo Bentancur and Romero
cautioned in quick succession, the latter for clattering into the ineffective
Erling Haaland.
Tottenham assistant coach Cristian Stellini, filling in for
Conte, was attempting to match the animated presence of his fellow Italian on
the touchline but saw his team enjoy a slice of luck before the break.
After Rodri and Jack Grealish failed to find the net with
curled efforts late in the half, Mahrez sent a stinging half-volley crashing
against the crossbar from 12 yards (meters) that bounced away to safety to
ensure Spurs were ahead at the break for the first time at home since Oct. 12.
Ben Davies headed wide for the hosts at the start of the
second period before Guardiola turned to De Bruyne with 57 minutes played.
De Bruyne’s first real involvement saw his short free kick
find Alvarez, who saw a low shot diverted over by Dier’s thigh.
It sparked a frantic spell with Romero blocking Manuel
Akanji’s shot and, seconds later, Ivan Perisic’s cross agonizingly evaded the Argentina
defender and Kane at the back post.
Kane was in the thick of the action minutes later, sending
one effort wide before Ederson denied him after the striker surged between Kyle
Walker and Akanji.
More drama was to follow with referee Andrew Madley showing
Romero a second yellow card for a foul on Grealish before five minutes of
stoppage time was added on.
Despite plenty of City possession, Tottenham held firm to
move a point off the top four and do rivals Arsenal a big favor in the title
race. -AP
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